Right temporal lobe activation when listening to emotionally significant music.

The cerebral activation when normal elderly participants (6 women, 6 men, M age = 70 years) listened to self-selected emotionally significant music was investigated. Musical memories and preferences were discussed in an interview, and a piece of music with great emotional significance to the participant was selected and later played during measurement of the regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF). Measurements were made during silence, individually selected emotional music, and standard neutral music.