Testing the influence of musical expertise on novel word learning across the lifespan using a cross-sectional approach in children, young adults and older adults

Dittinger, Eva; Scherer, Johanna; Jäncke, Lutz; Besson, Mireille; Elmer, Stefan

doi:10.1016/j.bandl.2019.104678

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Dittinger, E., Scherer, J., Jäncke, L., Besson, M., & Elmer, S. (2019). Testing the influence of musical expertise on novel word learning across the lifespan using a cross-sectional approach in children, young adults and older adults. Brain and Language, 198, 104678. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bandl.2019.104678

Abstract

Word learning is a multifaceted perceptual and cognitive task that is omnipresent in everyday life. Currently, it is unclear whether this ability is influenced by age, musical expertise or both variables. Accordingly, we used EEG and compared behavioral and electrophysiological indices of word learning between older adults with and without musical expertise (older adults' perspective) as well as between musically trained and untrained children, young adults, and older adults (lifespan perspective). Results of the older adults' perspec