Investigating musical disorders with diffusion tensor imaging: a comparison of imaging parameters.

The arcuate fasciculus (AF) is a bundle of white matter traditionally thought to be responsible for language function. However, its role in music is not known. Here we investigate the connectivity of the AF using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and show that musically tone-deaf individuals, who show impairments in pitch discrimination, have reduced connectivity in the AF relative to musically normal-functioning control subjects. Results were robust to variations in imaging parameters and emphasize the importance of brain connectivity in para-linguistic processes, such as music.