Music therapy effects on Alzheimer's disease biomarkers

Scientific Proof of Music Therapy's Impact on Alzheimer's Disease

Not applicable Interventional University of Central Florida · NCT07306065

This project will test whether music therapy changes salivary exosome biomarkers in adults aged 50 and older with or without mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment60 (estimated)
Ages50 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Central Florida Academic / other
Locations1 site (Orlando, Florida)
Trial IDNCT07306065 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

The study enrolls three groups of adults aged 50+: cognitively normal, mild cognitive impairment, and Alzheimer's disease/dementia, and delivers a standardized music intervention while collecting saliva samples. Salivary exosomes will be isolated and analyzed for neurochemical and pathology-related molecules such as neurotransmitter-related cargos, amyloid-beta, and tau species before and after the intervention. Molecular changes will be compared across groups to see if music produces measurable neurochemical shifts linked to AD pathology. The approach uses non-invasive sampling to add objective biomarker data to existing behavioral evidence for music therapy.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 50 or older who are cognitively normal, have mild cognitive impairment, or have Alzheimer's disease/dementia, and who can read or speak English or have a legally authorized representative provide consent.

Not a fit: People under age 50, prisoners, or those unable to understand English and provide consent are excluded and unlikely to benefit from participation.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could provide objective biomarker evidence that music therapy produces neurochemical changes and help personalize non-drug care for people with Alzheimer's disease.

How similar studies have performed: Behavioral studies have shown mood and cognitive benefits of music therapy in Alzheimer's, but using salivary exosome biomarkers to demonstrate molecular effects is novel and untested.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* 50 years old or older.

  * 20 adults with no mild-cognitive impairment
  * 20 adults with mild-cognitive impairment
  * 20 adults with Alzheimer's disease/ dementia.
* participant or the participant's legally authorized representative must be able to read or speak English and agree to comply with study procedures.
* pregnant women may chose to participate

Exclusion Criteria:

* 49 years and younger
* prisoners
* unable to understand English and provide consent

Where this trial is running

Orlando, Florida

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Alzheimers DiseaseDementiaDementia Alzheimer TypeAlzheimer s diseasemusicdementia
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.