Music’s Effect on the Aging Brain

Jennie Dorris, a research associate at CMU, delivers hope for older adults experiencing cognitive decline. Jennie Dorris stood behind her marimba calling out the name of each musical note as she struck its corresponding wooden bar with a rubber mallet, "C! E! F! . Now, roll the G!” Half a dozen older adults followed her lead, using rubber mallets to strike the notes on their own marimbas. The deep, rich tones resonated around the classroom. Dorris studies music's effect on the aging brain. She is a research associate in Carnegie Mellon University's School of Music, and the classroom was her laboratory before the pandemic pushed the pause button on group gatherings. Her students are local residents with mild cognitive impairment who hope learning music will stave off dementia.