Description

Studies over the past two decades have shown that activity can effect the reorganisation of the human central nervous system. For example, it is known that the part of the brain associated with activity of a finger or limb is taken over for other purposes in individuals whose limb or finger has been lost. In one study, psychologists used magnetic source imaging (MSI) to measure neuronal activity in the brains of nine string players (six violinists, two cellists and one guitarist) and six controls who had never played a musical instrument, when the thumb and fifth finger of the left hand were exposed to mild stimulation. The researchers felt that stringed instrument players, who use the fingers of their left hand extensively, might show different behaviour—as a result of this extensive physical activity—than individuals who did not play stringed instruments.

Usage

Format

A data frame with 15 observations on the following 2 variables.

Years

years that the individual has been playing

Activity

neuronal activity index

Source

Ramsey, F.L. and Schafer, D.W. (2002). The Statistical Sleuth: A Course in Methods of Data Analysis (2nd ed), Duxbury.

References

Elbert, T., Pantev, C., Wienbruch, C., Rockstroh, B. and Taub E. (1995). Increased cortical representation of the fingers of the left hand in string players, Science 270(5234): 305–307.

Examples