Identifying a brain network for musical rhythm: A functional neuroimaging meta-analysis and systematic review

Anna V Kasdan*, Andrea N Burgess, Fabrizio Pizzagalli, Alyssa Scartozzi, Alexander Chern, Sonja A. Kotz, Stephen M Wilson, Reyna L Gordon

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal(Systematic) Review article peer-review

Abstract

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 30 functional magnetic resonance imaging studies investigating processing of musical rhythms in neurotypical adults. First, we identified a general network for musical rhythm, encompassing all relevant sensory and motor processes (Beat-based, rest baseline, 12 contrasts) which revealed a large network involving auditory and motor regions. This network included the bilateral superior temporal cortices, supplementary motor area (SMA), putamen, and cerebellum. Second, we identified more precise loci for beat-based musical rhythms (Beat-based, audio-motor control, 8 contrasts) in the bilateral putamen. Third, we identified regions modulated by beat based rhythmic complexity (Complexity, 16 contrasts) which included the bilateral SMA-proper/pre-SMA, cerebellum, inferior parietal regions, and right temporal areas. This meta-analysis suggests that musical rhythm is largely represented in a bilateral cortico-subcortical network. Our findings align with existing theoretical frameworks about auditory-motor coupling to a musical beat and provide a foundation for studying how the neural bases of musical rhythm may overlap with other cognitive domains.

Original languageEnglish
Article number104588
Number of pages21
JournalNeuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews
Volume136
Early online date5 Mar 2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2022

Keywords

  • BASAL GANGLIA
  • BEAT PERCEPTION
  • Beat
  • CONNECTIVITY PATTERNS
  • FMRI
  • INDIVIDUAL-DIFFERENCES
  • MOTOR AREAS
  • Meta-analysis
  • Music
  • PRE-SMA
  • PREMOTOR CORTEX
  • Rhythm
  • SENSORIMOTOR SYNCHRONIZATION
  • SPEECH COMPREHENSION
  • TIME

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