Music as a scientific metaphor for mind and brain.
Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews June 1, 2026 Agustin Ibanez, Nick Roth, Aaron Colverson et al.
Metaphors have long played multiple roles in conceptualizing the mind and brain, guiding the development and refinement of theoretical models and empirical questions. Early analogies (comparing the brain to hydraulic systems, telephone exchanges, factories, or libraries) offered shortcuts to understanding aspects of cognition, memory, and brain dynamics. From theoretical frameworks, metaphors...
DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2026.106643 (opens in new tab)
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Connectivity and synchronization
Consciousness
Development and plasticity
Emotion and affect
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