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Large-scale multi-site study shows no association between musical training and early auditory neural sound encoding

Author

Listed:
  • Kelly L. Whiteford

    (University of Minnesota
    University of Michigan)

  • Lucas S. Baltzell

    (Boston University)

  • Matt Chiu

    (University of Rochester
    Baldwin Wallace University)

  • John K. Cooper

    (University of Rochester)

  • Stefanie Faucher

    (University of Rochester)

  • Pui Yii Goh

    (University of Minnesota)

  • Anna Hagedorn

    (Purdue University)

  • Vanessa C. Irsik

    (University of Western Ontario
    University of Western Ontario)

  • Audra Irvine

    (Carnegie Mellon University)

  • Sung-Joo Lim

    (Boston University
    Binghamton University)

  • Juraj Mesik

    (University of Minnesota)

  • Bruno Mesquita

    (University of Western Ontario)

  • Breanna Oakes

    (Purdue University)

  • Neha Rajappa

    (University of Minnesota)

  • Elin Roverud

    (Boston University)

  • Amy E. Schrlau

    (University of Rochester)

  • Stephen C. Hedger

    (University of Western Ontario
    University of Western Ontario)

  • Hari M. Bharadwaj

    (Purdue University
    Purdue University
    University of Pittsburgh)

  • Ingrid S. Johnsrude

    (University of Western Ontario
    University of Western Ontario
    University of Western Ontario)

  • Gerald Kidd

    (Boston University)

  • Anne E. Luebke

    (University of Rochester
    University of Rochester)

  • Ross K. Maddox

    (University of Rochester
    University of Rochester
    University of Michigan)

  • Elizabeth W. Marvin

    (University of Rochester)

  • Tyler K. Perrachione

    (Boston University)

  • Barbara G. Shinn-Cunningham

    (Carnegie Mellon University)

  • Andrew J. Oxenham

    (University of Minnesota)

Abstract

Musical training has been reported to be associated with enhanced neural processing of sounds, as measured via the frequency following response (FFR), implying the potential for human subcortical neural plasticity. We conducted a large-scale multi-site preregistered study (n > 260) to replicate and extend the findings underpinning this important relationship. We failed to replicate any of the major findings selected for replication that were published previously in smaller studies. Musical training was not associated with enhanced neural encoding strength of a speech stimulus (/da/) in babble, whether measured via the spectral or temporal representations of the FFR. Similarly, the strength of neural tracking of a speech sound with a dynamic pitch trajectory was not related to either years of musical training or age of onset of musical training. Our findings provide no evidence for associations between early auditory neural responses and either musical training or musical ability.

Suggested Citation

  • Kelly L. Whiteford & Lucas S. Baltzell & Matt Chiu & John K. Cooper & Stefanie Faucher & Pui Yii Goh & Anna Hagedorn & Vanessa C. Irsik & Audra Irvine & Sung-Joo Lim & Juraj Mesik & Bruno Mesquita & B, 2025. "Large-scale multi-site study shows no association between musical training and early auditory neural sound encoding," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-14, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-62155-5
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-62155-5
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