Music Medicine for Neurological Disorders

Neurological disorders imperceptibly begin with subtle deficits in neurotransmittersNeurotransmitter and their down-stream signaling leading to impaired intrinsic brain connectivity and altered brain activity, evidenced by altered electroencephalography (EEG) and dysfunctional brain networks paralleling with psychobehavioral deficits prior to the appearance of disease-specific neurodegeneration. Pharmacological restoration of neurotransmitters using synthetic drugs, and rebalancing of EEG/intrinsic connectivity using deep brain stimulation (DBS)Deep brain stimulation (DBS), transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), are associated with adversities. While psychobehavioral deficits managed by applied behavioral analysis (ABA)Applied behavioral analysis (ABA), cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), and validation therapy (VT)Validation therapy (VT) are invasive and/or stigmatic. In that context, pleiotropy of musicMusic Therapy simultaneously targeting neurotransmitterNeurotransmitter restoration, brainwave rebalancing, and psychobehavioral improvements via emotional upliftment, exert comprehensive benefits, making Raga Therapy a safe and effective alternative in treating neurological disorders.