A Northwestern University study shows the impact music can have to open memories and reconnect with loved ones.

People with dementia often lose their ability to communicate verbally with loved ones. But a new study shows how that gap can be bridged with a new music intervention. Music memories remain in the brain after patients lose language. A live ensemble played music from a patient's youth. This created an emotional connection between a patient and their caregiver by allowing them to interact with the music together via singing, dancing and playing simple instruments.