About Music and Epilepsy

Neurology Professor at Masaryk University in Brno (Slovakia) Ivan Rektor about the impact of music on epilepsy and our brain

»We were actually able to prove in no uncertain terms – with results showing clear statistical significance - that the first movement of Mozart's Sonata K448 for Two Pianos reduces the share of epileptic abnormalities shown in the EEG for virtually all case studies while they listened to music.« (Neurology Professor Ivan Rektor)

B-AIR Soundings is a series of radio shows, created in collaboration with Prim. Igor M. Ravnik, MD, a specialist with more than 40 years of practical experience in the field of Pediatric Neurology. Prim. Ravnik as the host in conversation with guest experts tackles various topics related to sound: from research of potential impact that music can have on cognitive, emotional development and personality, to Neurophysiology, Neuropsychology of music, musicotherapy and creativity in childhood and old age as well as in sickness or health. During the week that celebrated Slovenia's National Day of Culture as well as honored the International Epilepsy Day, Prim. Ravnik invited Ivan Rektor, Professor of Neurology at Masaryk University in Brno (Slovakia), to talk about aforementioned topics. Professor Rektor is also leading the Research Group for Multimodal and Functional Neuroimaging at the Centre for Neuroscience at Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC). His research work is mostly focused on epilepsy, especially Stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) and recording Deep Brain Stimulation, movement disorders, cognitive Neuropsychology and neuroimaging (brain scanning). Recently he initiated research of potential impact music can play in epilepsy and on our brain as well as studies on neurobiological markers in conditions of extreme stress (his case studies were three generations who survived the holocaust).


Credits

Author and Host • Igor M Ravnik

Guest • Ivan Rektor

Editors • Saška Rakef, Tina Ogrin

Anchors • Lidija Hartman, Aleksander Golja

Sound Designer • Jon Čergan

Technical support and Coordination • Anže Ančimer

Proofreading • Mojca Blažej Cirej

Produced by • Radio Slovenija, B-AIR

Premiere • 11th of February 2021