WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Could songs sharpen the mind?

December 2, 2011

Joe Fabiano used to sing to his wife, Anita, to make her forget her troubles.

"If Anita would start to pout and stuff, I start singing 'Smile' to her and it would drive her so crazy, that she'd have to smile," he said.

Now, he sings to help her remember. Anita, 63, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease two years ago. She's tried different doctors, pills and therapies, but it wasn't until she joined a singing group that things started to turn around.

"You're singing and it's happy things, you have some fun along the way," Anita said.

The chorus, called "The Unforgettables," is part of a new NYU Langone Medical Center study looking at whether music can slow down the effects of dementia.

"Whether that sort of activity over time improves their mood, improves their communication with each other," explained Dr. Mary Mittelman of NYU Langone Medical Center.

Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia, with half a million new cases each year. Right now, medications can only slow it down. Doctors wonder if music can be part of a cure.

"There is evidence that music actually affects the way the brain function," Mittelman said.

"You want to be in a good place and this brings us to a good place. And you know what? I'll take those good places for now," Joe said.

For Joe and Anita, music makes these difficult days a little easier.

Click here for more on Alzheimer's disease.