Identifying a brain network for musical rhythm: A functional neuroimaging meta-analysis and systematic review

• Published in: Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews Vol. 136; p. 104588
• Main Authors: Kasdan, Anna V., Burgess, Andrea N., Pizzagalli, Fabrizio, Scartozzi, Alyssa, Chern, Alexander, Kotz, Sonja A., Wilson, Stephen M., Gordon, Reyna L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Ltd 01.05.2022
• Subjects: Adult; Auditory Perception; Beat; Brain - diagnostic imaging; Brain Mapping; FMRI; Functional Neuroimaging; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Meta-analysis; Music; Rhythm; Rhythm; Beat; Music; FMRI; Meta-analysis
• ISSN: 0149-7634; 1873-7528; 1873-7528
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104588

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 30 functional magnetic resonance imaging studies investigating processing of musical rhythms in neurotypical adults. First, we identified a general network for musical rhythm, encompassing all relevant sensory and motor processes (Beat-based, rest baseline, 12 contrasts) which revealed a large network involving auditory and motor regions. This network included the bilateral superior temporal cortices, supplementary motor area (SMA), putamen, and cerebellum. Second, we identified more precise loci for beat-based musical rhythms (Beat-based, audio-motor control, 8 contrasts) in the bilateral putamen. Third, we identified regions modulated by beat based rhythmic complexity (Complexity, 16 contrasts) which included the bilateral SMA-proper/pre-SMA, cerebellum, inferior parietal regions, and right temporal areas. This meta-analysis suggests that musical rhythm is largely represented in a bilateral cortico-subcortical network. Our findings align with existing theoretical frameworks about auditory-motor coupling to a musical beat and provide a foundation for studying how the neural bases of musical rhythm may overlap with other cognitive domains. •Musical rhythm engages a bilateral cortico-subcortical network involving auditory and motor regions.•Beat-based musical rhythms activate the bilateral putamen.•The bilateral SMA, cerebellum, and other regions are modulated by rhythmic complexity.•Findings converge with other methodologies and align with existing theoretical frameworks.