The Neuroscience of Music: Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder

Healthcare providers advocate for active music therapy (AMT) for mental illnesses because it can be highly effective without the possible adverse effects that accompany pharmacological therapy. Though this form of therapeutic intervention has been thoroughly researched within the context of adolescent ADHD, depression, and bipolar disorder, the application of AMT within Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD) has yet to be explored. This research paper employs a secondary mixed method comparative analysis to determine whether AMT in the form of structured piano lessons is a viable treatment option for DMDD adolescents. The results indicate an overlap between the neuroscience of AMT and the neural abnormalities of DMDD. The rapid reorganization of the sensorimotor network induced by active music therapy can remedy the cognitive inflexibility that causes the irritable outbursts of DMDD youth. An increase in time engaged in practicing piano is directly correlated with an increase in gray matter density, and the amygdala relies on this gray matter to process social behavior effectively. It is evident that active music therapy has the potential to transform treatment plans for DMDD youth though further research is needed to consolidate these findings through a confirmatory clinical trial.