Finnish researchers say they have found genes responsible for auditory response and neuro-cognitive processing that partially explain musical aptitude. They note “several genes mostly related to the auditory pathway, not only specifically to inner ear function, but also to neurocognitive processes.”
“Humans have developed the perception, production and processing of sounds into the art of music. A genetic contribution to these skills of musical aptitude has long been suggested,” the researchers note in the study. Using a genome-wide scan, researchers evaluated 767 individuals “for the ability to discriminate pitch (SP), duration (ST) and sound patterns (KMT), which are primary capacities for music perception.” The study was published in Molecular Psychiatry.