Understanding how music affects brain development in children
Official title: Deciphering the neural mechanisms of music processing in the developing brain: A multi-feature and multi-cultural comparison
Funded at St. John's University · NIH-10887472 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how learning music and speaking different languages can help kids aged 5 to 10 develop their brains, and it aims to find out how these skills work together to improve how they hear and understand sounds.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | St. John's University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Queens, United States) |
| Project start | September 5, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $205,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R16GM146697-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10887472 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation are children aged 5 to 10 years who have varying levels of music exposure and language experience.
✕Less likely to help
Patients outside the age range of 5 to 10 years or those without any interest or exposure to music may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how music training and language experience influence brain development in children aged 5 to 10 years. By using advanced neurophysiological techniques and behavioral assessments, the study aims to uncover the interactions between music and language processing in the developing brain. Participants will engage in activities that measure their responses to various music features, helping researchers understand the maturation of auditory processing. The findings could provide insights into treating neurological conditions related to auditory and language functions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved therapeutic strategies for children with language and auditory processing disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the effects of music training on brain function, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
St. John's University
Queens, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yu, Yan Helen — St. John's University
- Study coordinator: Yu, Yan Helen
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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.