Exploring how music can help older adults recall personal memories
Official title: Music as an autobiographical memory cue across the lifespan
Funded at Missouri University of Science & Technology · NIH-10359887 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring how listening to music can help older adults, especially those with memory issues like Alzheimer's, remember important moments from their past more easily and feel better emotionally.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Missouri University of Science & Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rolla, United States) |
| Project start | January 15, 2022 |
| Project end | December 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2022 |
| Award (this year) | $462,163 |
| NIH project number | 1R15AG075609-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10359887 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults, especially those experiencing memory decline or diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not elderly or do not have memory-related conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how music can serve as a cue to help older adults retrieve autobiographical memories, particularly in the context of aging and conditions like Alzheimer's disease. The study aims to understand whether music can evoke vivid memories with minimal cognitive effort, which may be beneficial for individuals experiencing memory decline. By comparing music-induced memory retrieval to other sensory cues, the research seeks to uncover the mechanisms behind music's effectiveness in enhancing emotional well-being and memory recall in older adults. Participants will engage in activities that involve listening to music and recalling personal memories to assess the impact on their emotional state and memory retrieval.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance memory recall and emotional well-being in older adults, particularly those with cognitive impairments.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that music can effectively trigger memories in various populations, suggesting a promising avenue for enhancing memory in older adults.
Where this research is happening
-
Missouri University of Science & Technology
Rolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Belfi, Amy — Missouri University of Science & Technology
- Study coordinator: Belfi, Amy
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.