World Neurosurg. 2013 Oct 7. pii: S1878-8750(13)01291-6. doi: 10.1016/j.wneu.2013.10.006. [Epub ahead of print]

Jazz Improvisation, Creativity And Brain Plasticity.

Duffau H.

Source

Department of Neurosurgery, Gui de Chauliac Hospital, Montpellier University Medical Center, 80 Av Augustin Fliche, 34295 Montpellier, France; National Institute for Health and Medical Research (INSERM), U1051 Laboratory, Team "Brain Plasticity, Stem Cells and Glial Tumors", Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier, Montpellier University Medical Center, 34091 Montpellier, France. Electronic address: h-duffau@chu-montpellier.fr.

We present the case of a professional jazz guitarist with temporal lobe epilepsy secondary to an arteriovenous cerebral malformation. He underwent a left temporal lobectomy in 1980. Following surgery, he presented with severe retrograde amnesia as well as complete loss of musical interest and capabilities. The patient's musical abilities recovered over time and he regained his previous virtuoso status. In 2007 his medical history, neuropsychological functions, and structural MRI were examined and revealed a remarkable degree of recovery of memory and musical abilities in the context of extensive temporal lobe resection. The neuropsychological findings and neuroanatomical features of the MRI were analyzed to try to understand the high degree of recovery of both long-term memory and musical processing abilities in this musician. This case also reveals the possibility of an unusual degree of cerebral plasticity and reorganization. Additionally, it emphasizes the question of musical virtuosism. This report shows that the musical capabilities of professional musicians, in specific cases, can completely recover even when much of the left temporal lobe has been removed.