The music experience and its influence on cognitive function measured with EEG

Musicians and non-musicians were evaluated during pilot testing of the Visual Oddball and Go/No-Go as measured with P3 event-related potentials. Amidst COVID-19, we are collecting online questionnaire data with a sample of 34 participants, which will be tested in-person once safety protocols are established. Factors from the Brief Music Experience Questionnaire were correlated to variables from a Basic Information Questionnaire. For the Oddball and Go/No-Go testing, lower reaction times were observed for two musicians as well as higher accuracy on the Oddball task. Musicians demonstrated higher amplitudes and later peak latencies for the Go/No-Go, but lower amplitudes and later peak latencies for the Oddball. Preliminary correlations were found between years playing an instrument, and proficiency playing an instrument with innovative musical aptitude and reactive musical behavior components. Upon collecting more data, differences are expected in cognition between musicians and non-musicians during tasks of stimulus evaluation and inhibition.