NeuroMusic
When people listen to music, they may clap their hands, step, dance, and feel joy, naturally moving their bodies. This sensation of pleasure and motivation to move, elicited by listening to music, is referred to as the 'sense of groove.' In this research project, the sense of groove is perceived as a multisensory phenomenon. We aim to scientifically elucidate the characteristics of rhythm performance that create a sense of groove and develop and test systems for generating groovy rhythms. Furthermore, we will apply the research findings to create new forms of musical and artistic expression. This research project is a selected topic under the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) PRESTO (Sakigake). Those interested in this project are encouraged to thoroughly read papers on music rhythm and bodily movement, papers on the brain's perception of music rhythm, papers on the sense of groove and the brain's predictability, papers on the biological origins of rhythm perception synchronization, papers on the universality and diversity of music rhythm, Fujii's comprehensive review on groove, and the JST Sakigake Multisensory System website, to clearly understand how they specifically want to be involved in the research.
In recent years, the difficulties faced by young people, as evidenced by mental distress such as depression and adjustment disorders, and high suicide rates, have become major social issues. For the current generation of youth, who are entering an era where living to 100 years old is becoming more common, it is increasingly important to possess strong mental resilience (psychological resilience) from adolescence and young adulthood to break through these difficulties and achieve a sustainable high well-being society. This project focuses on the benefits of music and art in establishing a new academic field that comprehensively studies the mental challenges faced by young people struggling with life. We aim to scientifically elucidate the effects of music and art on the mind and body and their neuroscientific mechanisms, and based on these findings, provide innovative solutions (scientifically-evidenced music and art content) on the metaverse to acquire psychological resilience. This research project is a selected topic under the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) COI-NEXT Program. hose interested in this project are encouraged to thoroughly read the Mind1020Lab Website, papers on Auditory Steady State Response (ASSR), a key neuroscientific indicator used in this project, and papers on the pathophysiology and treatment of schizophrenia centered on gamma oscillations, to clearly understand how they specifically want to be involved in the research.
The increase in Parkinson's Disease (PD) patients is notably rapid compared to other diseases, with an estimated 13 million people worldwide by 2040. PD patients often become bedridden due to falls and slips caused by characteristic PD gait disorders (such as shuffling, short-stepped walking, and festination). Therefore, alleviating gait disorders in PD patients is a highly valuable social endeavor. An intriguing aspect of PD gait disorders is that symptoms can be alleviated by auditory stimulation with musical rhythms (Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation). Hence, this project aims to build a movement support platform that senses the walking of PD patients with smart shoes and interactively feeds back musical rhythms, facilitating motion through rhythmic auditory stimulation. This research project is a selected topic under the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) Strategic Innovation Promotion Program (SIP), for developing foundational technologies and rules towards expanding the virtual economy. Those interested in this project are encouraged to thoroughly read the website of ORPHE Inc.'s smart shoes, papers on improving the walking timing of PD patients through interactive rhythmic auditory stimulation, papers on the neural network of music rhythm/beat perception, and papers on dynamical system models related to the perception and coordination of musical rhythms, to clearly understand how they specifically want to be involved in the research
In this research project, we will explore the possibility that 'crying' forms a developmental foundation for language, music, and sociality. By utilizing deep learning (AI) techniques, we aim to investigate whether acoustic characteristics related to the learning of these abilities are present in the crying of infants during early development. The project seeks to predict individual differences in language and social development based on the acoustic features of early cries, understand the neural mechanisms involved in the diversification of crying, comprehend the role 'crying' plays in acquiring language and musicality, and propose early diagnosis and support for developmental disorders through cry analysis. This research project is a selected topic under the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research B. It is a collaboration with the Developmental Brain Science Laboratory (DBSL) at the Graduate School of Education, the University of Tokyo Those interested in this project are encouraged to thoroughly read the DBSL website,, Fujii's baby dance paper, and papers on baby cries, to clearly understand how they specifically want to be involved in the research.
Task-Specific Focal Dystonia (TSFD) is a neurological disorder characterized by involuntary, persistent muscle contractions associated with specific actions. While TSFD is commonly observed in musicians, research on dystonia among drummers is extremely limited globally, and many aspects of drummer's dystonia, including its current state, causative factors, and neural mechanisms, remain unclear. Therefore, this research project aims to explore the brain mechanisms behind the onset of dystonia in professional drummers. This season, in particular, we will collaborate with Dr. Takako Fujioka from Stanford University to undertake beat perception research using electroencephalography (EEG). Those interested in this project are encouraged to thoroughly read articles on drummer's dystonia, dystonia treatment guidelines, Dr. Fujioka's research on beat perception and EEG activity during imagining, and papers on beat perception by Manning and Schutz, to clearly understand how they specifically want to be involved in the research.
Our daily lives are overflowing with music. But when asked, 'What is music?', how many people in this world can insightfully discern its truth based on scientific knowledge? Music exists in our everyday life as if it's a given. However, we still do not know much about music. The main theme of the NeuroMusic Lab is to unravel the 'unknowns' of music and scientifically approach its essence.
In recent years, with the dramatic advancements in neurosciences, the way music is processed in the human brain and body, and the mechanisms behind it, have gradually been elucidated. Among the findings, what is particularly intriguing is that the music we casually enjoy is deeply connected to the very essence of human beings, including our culture, evolution, development, sociability, creativity, perception, cognition, movement, memory, emotions, and learning. Why are our human brains and bodies equipped with the ability to be moved by music, to find solace in it, to dance, sing, perform, and enjoy sounds? Unraveling this from a neuroscience perspective is nothing less than an exploration of human nature. 'Neurosciences and Music: NeuroMusic' is a field of study that investigates how musical information is processed in the human brain and nervous system, and how it creates rich and unique mental states, exploring its origins and principles. NeuroMusic is an exciting scientific research field that promises to approach the essence and origins of humanity.
The purpose of this Kenkyukai is to unravel the origins and principles of the musicality of humans, focusing on the Neurosciences and Music (NeuroMusic) as its theme. Those who are curious about what music truly is and are interested in pioneering the field of music science are encouraged to knock on the door of this Kenkyukai.