Extensive piano practicing has regionally specific effects on white matter development

Positive correlations between practicing and fiber tract organization in different regions for each age period are found, and long-term training within critical developmental periods may induce regionally specific plasticity in myelinating tracts.

Abstract

Using diffusion tensor imaging, we investigated effects of piano practicing in childhood, adolescence and adulthood on white matter, and found positive correlations between practicing and fiber tract organization in different regions for each age period. For childhood, practicing correlations were extensive and included the pyramidal tract, which was more structured in pianists than in non-musicians. Long-term training within critical developmental periods may thus induce regionally specific plasticity in myelinating tracts.