Genomics Approaches for Studying Musical Aptitude and Related Traits

Although music and other forms of art can develop in diverse directions, they are linked to the genetic profiles of populations. Analysis of music-related human traits using the methods of genomics revealed that genetic loci containing genes for inner ear development, auditory pathways, and cognition are linked to musical aptitude. Analysis of the human transcriptome after listening to music and music performance plus genome-wide analysis of the selection regions in the human genome uncovered the activities of genes affecting hearing, birdsong, cognition, and language development. These data suggest that music and language share a common evolutionary background. In addition, identification of several genes (e.g., SNCA, RGS2, RGS9) known to contribute to dopaminergic metabolism supports the role of the dopaminergic pathway as a mediator of the effects of music in the human body.