Researchers have previously hypothesised that the Mozart effect in epilepsy was connected to the emotional effects of music, as dopamine (the main neurotransmitters of the brain's reward system) is released when listening to music. 'We believe the physical 'acoustic' features of the Mozart music affect brain oscillations-or brain waves-which is responsible for reducing EDs'. The acoustic properties, such as the rhythm, dynamics and tone, showed that the acoustic features of music composition have a different effect on men and women. Listening to Haydn's music led to suppressed epileptiform discharges only in women in the men, there was an increase of epileptiform discharges. The study found that men and women responded differently to the two pieces of music. 'In the second part of our study, we set out to explain the 'Mozart effect' in epilepsy', furthered Professor Rektor. 'Listening to Mozart led to a 32% decrease in EDs, but listening to Haydn's No 94 caused a 45% increase.'

'To our surprise, there were significant differences between the effects of listening to Mozart's K448 and Haydn's No 94', commented Professor Rektor. The effects on brain activity were measured by intracerebral electrodes that had been implanted in the brains of epilepsy patients prior to surgery. These are electrical brain waves associated with epilepsy and can cause seizures or bursts of electrical activity that temporarily affect how the brain works.ДЄ team led by Professor Ivan Rektor, from the Epilepsy Centre at the Hospital St Anne and CEITEC Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic, compared the effects of listening to Mozart's Sonata for Two Pianos K448 with Haydn's Symphony No 94. Listening to the famous 18th century composer's Sonata for Two Pianos K448 led to a 32% reduction in epileptiform discharges (EDs). Researchers believe that the acoustic (physical) properties within the music are responsible for this effect.

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