We are pleased to present the fourth infographic derived from the fourth study published using data from our large-scale research project, PICCOLO!

Designed by Xiyue Zhang, a PhD student in our lab, this infographic highlights the latest findings from the PICCOLO project on the effects of amateur musical practice on resting-state fMRI. For an introduction of resting-state fMRI, see this blog: https://speechneurolab.ca/en/que-fait-votre-cerveau-lorsque-vous-vous-reposez/

The PICCOLO project focuses on the effects of Instrumental or Vocal Practice on Cognition, Language, and Brain Organization. It aims to determine whether different forms of musical activities—such as singing and playing a musical instrument—have similar or distinct effects on the brain, compared to non-musical activities. Click here https://speechneurolab.ca/projet-en-equipe-du-frqnt-2/ to read our blog post introducing the project.

In this fourth infographic, we present the results of a study by Xiyue Zhang and Pascale Tremblay, which was published in 2025 in the journal Aperture Neuro.

The study explores how brain aging—specifically through resting-state fMRI—is related to attention, inhibition, and working memory in adults who engage in musical or non-musical activities, with a focus on brain plasticity.

Dive into the infographic to discover whether the resting-state networks differ between singers 🎤, instrumentalists 🎸🎻, and non-musicians. You can click on the infographic to enlarge or download it.

To learn more about this study, read the scientific article itself by clicking here: https://apertureneuro.org/article/130919-aging-of-resting-state-functional-connectivity-in-amateur-singers-instrumentalists-and-controls

Happy reading! 😊

Source:

Zhang, X., & Tremblay, P. (2025). Aging of resting-state functional connectivity in amateur singers, instrumentalists and controls. Aperture Neuro, 5.