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Psychologist Lina van Drunen's Ph.D. research is shedding light on the transformative effects of musical instrument practice, particularly amidst the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Van Drunen, herself a musician, embarked on her research journey with a keen interest in unraveling the mysteries of how musical activities shape brain development. "I play guitar and sing, so I was particularly interested in discovering how these activities affect brain development," she shared.

Amidst the wealth of research focused on the impact of disadvantaged environments on brain development, van Drunen recognized a glaring gap in understanding the effects of cognitively enriching environments, particularly those infused with music.

"The data collection for my research began eight years ago, but my Ph.D. journey lasted four years," van Drunen explained, Medical Express reported. "Then the research halted for three months. That was a shock, but fortunately, we could resume the measurements afterward."

"We could now measure the impact of the pandemic as a disadvantaged environment on brain development. We already had data from a group of young people who hadn't experienced the pandemic, allowing us to compare it with those growing up during the pandemic."

Examining a cohort of 500 pairs of twins aged 7 to 14, van Drunen's research delved into the influence of both musical environments and the COVID-19 pandemic on brain development over a six-year period. Through a series of MRI scans and cognitive assessments, the study uncovered intriguing findings.

Contrary to conventional wisdom, van Drunen's research revealed that intensive practice of musical instruments appeared to slow down brain development in certain regions among young individuals proficient in musical tasks. However, rather than viewing this deceleration negatively, van Drunen and her colleagues interpret it as an indication of prolonged brain development and enhanced learning potential.

"Our suggestion is that the brains of musical youngsters develop longer and the so-called window of learning is wider. We already saw this effect in young people who occasionally play music at amateur level," she said.

In stark contrast, the study observed an accelerated development of specific brain regions, such as the medial prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, among teenagers navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. This accelerated maturation, while initially prompted by the pandemic-induced stressors, ultimately showcased adolescents' remarkable resilience in adapting to new social norms and modes of interaction.

"There, we saw accelerated development of certain brain regions, notably the medial prefrontal cortex and hippocampus that are associated with social interactions and regulating stress. Such accelerated development is not necessarily a bad thing. Brains seem to adapt in this way so that you can best survive in the environment you grow up in. The corona pandemic required young people to mature faster in certain areas," van Drunen explained.

"So apparently children found ways to maintain social contacts in a new way. That also indicates resilience."

Van Drunen emphasized that while these findings offer invaluable insights into the interplay between environmental factors and teenage brain development, their implications for adolescent well-being remain to be fully understood. She now aims to delve deeper into understanding how teenagers perceive and prioritize their mental and physical well-being, paving the way for tailored interventions to bolster adolescent resilience and thriving.