Playing a musical instrument can ward off dementia

New research has found that musicians have a better memory and sharper brain health as they get older, especially if they can play the piano.

Scientists at the University of Exeter assessed data from 1,108 adults with an average age of 68 and asked them about their musical experience during their lives.

Tests measuring brain function found that playing an instrument or singing in a choir was linked to a significantly better memory.

The team suggests that encouraging people to play music could be a "valuable public health initiative" and implored adults to rediscover the instruments they played in their younger years.

Anne Corbett, a professor in dementia research at the university, said: "Overall, we think that being musical could be a way of harnessing the brain's agility and resilience, known as cognitive research.

"Although more research is needed to investigate this relationship, our findings indicate that promoting musical education would be a valuable part of public-health initiatives to promote a protective lifestyle for brain health as would encouraging older adults to return to music in later life."

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