Cerebral activation due to music presentation through headphone with different sound insulation properties

Cerebral activation due to music presentation through headphone with different sound insulation properties, i.e., a regular headphone with -15dB sound insulation and an excellent headphone with -25dB, were examined during fMRI measurement. Ten healthy adults (five men and five women, average age 27.2 years) had participated in this experiment. Music (“Four Seasons” by Vivaldi) was reproduced from CD in block design and presented for 40sec to the subject through either of headphones with an interruption of 40sec without music. Three blocks were done in this experiment. According to introspective reports after fMRI measurement, subjects felt more comfortable due to music presentation through a headphone with excellent insulation property, compared to music presentation through a headphone with regular insulation. Amygdale is a well known structure which serves an important role in emotional experience. Due to the music presentation amygdale was activated regardless of the insulation properties of headphone. However, degree of activations in left and right amygdale was altered according to the insulation properties of headphone through which music was presented. Therefore, left amygdale and right one might serve in different manners according to an auditory experience which was pleasant or unpleasant.