WIKIMEDIA, MDD4696Analyzing the genomes of 767 people, Irma Järvelä at the University of Helsinki, Finland, and her colleagues identified genes involved in the development of the inner ear may affect musical aptitude. Specifically, people with variations found near the genes GATA2—integral to the development of the inner ear and the inferior colliculus, the brain region that first receives signals from the hair cells of the inner ear—and PCDH15—which is involved in the conversion of air vibrations into electrical signals in the hair cells—were better able to differentiate similar pitches and durations of sound as well as recognize musical pattern. The results were published this week (March 11) in Molecular Psychiatry.
Of course, the study does not mean that musical ability is purely genetic, Järvelä told New Scientist. “The environment and culture where you live are also important in musical ability and development,” she said.
In another study, published last week (March 6) in Current Biology, researchers demonstrated that, in addition to differences in musical aptitude, people vary in their emotional responses to music. Some university students who were monitored as they listened to familiar music didn’t seem to have any physical manifestations of the experience: crescendos didn’t drive up their heart rates or cause them to sweat, as such musical climbs did for others. But when asked to participate in an exercise involving the chance to win money, everyone’s heart raced.
“Music isn’t rewarding for ...
