Lifelong engagement with music is linked to healthier brain aging, according to a new study led by researchers at the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom. The work, published in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry (IJGP), adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that persistent musical activity supports cognitive vitality in later life.
In this study, researchers drew on data from more than 1,000 adults aged 40 and older who completed an online survey to participate. The team gathered information about each participant’s musical life, including how often they sang or played an instrument and the degree of ongoing interaction with music over the decades. Participants also performed cognitive assessments designed to gauge memory, processing speed, and problem-solving abilities, enabling researchers to examine links between musical practice and cognitive health as people age.
Findings indicate that playing a musical instrument, with the piano emerging as a particularly strong correlator, is associated with better memory performance and enhanced executive function — the mental skills involved in planning, coordinating, and solving complex tasks. The ability to continue playing into older age appears to support sharper thinking and clearer mental focus. Singing, too, shows potential benefits for brain aging, possibly because regular rehearsal and group vocalization require sustained social interaction, coordination, and communication with fellow choir members and other ensemble participants.
Experts note that the social dimension of musical activity may amplify its cognitive advantages. Regular collaboration in musical groups entails listening, timing, and adapting to others in real time, which exercises neural networks tied to attention, memory, and cognitive control. The social, perceptual, and emotional engagement embedded in making music can foster resilience in brain circuits that tend to decline with age. While the exact mechanisms require further study, the pattern of findings aligns with broader research highlighting the protective effects of sustained, meaningful cognitive activities across the lifespan.
Beyond specific instruments or singing, the study highlights a broader principle: continued participation in music across life stages can be a practical avenue for maintaining mental agility. People who keep musical practices active may experience a more resilient cognitive reserve, helping them manage everyday tasks, adapt to new situations, and retain independence as they grow older. This perspective resonates with public health messages that emphasize engaging, enjoyable activities as part of a long-term strategy for healthy aging.
The Exeter team emphasizes that these results should be interpreted as associations rather than proofs of causation. While musical activity correlates with stronger cognitive performances in midlife and beyond, further longitudinal research is needed to determine how different forms of musical engagement directly influence specific cognitive processes over time. Nevertheless, the evidence supports encouraging people of all ages to pursue musical opportunities that fit their interests and lifestyles. Making music can be as simple as singing with friends, learning an instrument, or joining a community group where regular practice is part of the routine, all with potential benefits for brain health and overall well-being.
In summary, frequent musical involvement across the lifespan appears to contribute to better memory and higher executive functioning in older adults, with singing and instrument playing offering particular advantages. The social, cognitive, and emotional components of these activities collectively bolster cognitive resilience and life satisfaction, reinforcing music as a meaningful, accessible form of lifelong brain health maintenance. [Citation: University of Exeter, IJGP study; expert commentary from neuroscience researchers]