Northwestern Music and Medicine Program

Created by Borna Bonakdarpour, and Clara Takarabe, this program has three components: 1- Clinical Music Interventions 2- Research 3- Education

[Northwestern Music and Medicine Program @NMuseMed21]

Results of our work with patients with epilepsy using Clinically Designed Improvisatory Music (CDIM) is published. Music could calm stressed out patients and slowed down their brains.

@NMNeurology
@NUMesulamCenter
@ResearchNU
@ClaraTakarabe
#MusicMedicine
#EEG

[Borna Bonakdarpour @bbonakda]

Musical Museum’s manuscript is published marking five years of growth since @ClaraTakarabe and I launched this music‑appreciation program for people with ADRDs built on intellectual, emotional, and social engagement.

https://t.co/YYBXOZCZjW

@NUMesulamCenter
@NMNeurology

[Borna Bonakdarpour @bbonakda]

The end of #AAIC26. Presenting our research with the Sounds Good Choir. It was also a joy to reconnect with Dr. Michael Greicius, meeting colleagues at @AFTDHope gathering.

@NMNeurology
@NUMesulamCenter
@NorthwesternMed

[NM Neurology @NMNeurology]

In a recent article for Brain & Life, Borna Bonakdarpour, MD, associate professor of Neurology, explains how music can benefit individuals with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.

Read the full story: https://t.co/55Ka62UfCI

[Northwestern Music and Medicine Program @NMuseMed21]

Five years strong. Northwestern Music and Medicine Prpgram continues to redefine how neuroscience, clinical care, and music come together to heal and inspire.

#MyXAnniversary

[Galter Health Sciences Library & Learning Center @galterlibrary]

Congratulations to Feinberg School of Medicine's Class of 2026! 🎓🥼

[David Jones @DavidJonesBrain]

I feel this! 💯

[Borna Bonakdarpour @bbonakda]

Honored to have presented and performed Music Interventions for Neurocognitive Disorders with @ClaraTakarabe in a HeadTalk session at the @AANmember , which drew an audience of over 100, underscoring the notable interest in this area.

@NMNeurology
@NMNeurons
#MusicMedicine

[Northwestern Music and Medicine Program @NMuseMed21]

@NMNeurology @bbonakda @AANmember @ClaraTakarabe

[NM Neurology @NMNeurology]

Hear from Borna Bonakdarpour, MD (@bbonakda), during Poster Session 9 from 5 to 6 pm on “Musical Museum: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Integrative Life Enrichment for Individuals With Neurocognitive Disorders and Their Care Partners.” #AAN2026. @AANmember

[Borna Bonakdarpour @bbonakda]

We will be holding a #HeadTalk at the @AANmember (AAN) in Chicago on Sunday at 8 am at the McCormick Place along with
4 posters.

More info here:

https://t.co/ovkgXTYQnC

@NMuseMed21
@NorthwesternU
@NorthwesternMed
@BienenSchoolNU
@NUMesulamCenter
@NMNeurology

[Borna Bonakdarpour @bbonakda]

We had two Restorative Music Sessions at the 150th @TheNewANA1 annual meeting following the ones we presented last year. We had some brilliant audience and vibrant discussions.

@NMuseMed21
@NMNeurology
@NUMesulamCenter
@NUCATSInstitute
@OsherCenter
@NorthwesternU
#ANA2025

[Borna Bonakdarpour @bbonakda]

Our 13th “Musical Museum” was a joy! Huge thanks to Brook Ferguson (Colorado Symphony) for her dazzling flute, Jake Schroeder for a heartfelt sing-along, and Clara Takarabe for masterful hosting. Recording coming soon!

@NMNeurology
@NUMesulamCenter
@NMuseMed21
#MusicMedicine

[Borna Bonakdarpour @bbonakda]

@EmmaHeming 's "The Unexpected Journey" is out! A heartfelt, practical guide born from Bruce Willis’ dementia diagnosis, it offers clarity and compassion to caregivers. Honored to consult on this project.

#DementiaCare
@NMuseMed21
@NMNeurology
@mes

[Borna Bonakdarpour @bbonakda]

Thank you Toronto for hosting the #AAIC25 we had a great time! So glad that Melanie Zhang and Jonathan Zhao from my lab were able to join to present their works.

@NUMesulamCenter
@NMNeurology
@NorthwesternU
@WeinbergCollege
@nmuse

[Borna Bonakdarpour @bbonakda]

Such a great pleasure presenting first results from the Music Empathy Training for Frontotemporal Dementia (MET-FTD) with Dr. Kaitlin Siebert.

@UCdementiadoc
#AAIC2025
@UChicago
@UChicago_Neuro
@NUMesulamCenter
@NMNeurology
@NorthwesternU
@NorthwesternMed
@ResearchNU

[Borna Bonakdarpour @bbonakda]

Last poster presentation completed. Results from Clinical Improvisatory Music for Alzheimer's and Caregivers (CIMAC). Love the international audience.

@NUMesulamCenter
@NMNeurology
@NorthwesternU
@NMuseMed21
#MusicDementia
@BienenSchoolNU
#MDRN
@NEAarts

[Borna Bonakdarpour @bbonakda]

Proud of our team and our first poster on our Musical Museum program for patients with dementia. We received the REC Scholar designation. More today and on Wednesday.

#AAIC2025
@NUMesulamCenter
@NMNeurology
@NorthwesternMed
@NorthwesternU
@NMuseMed21
@thedailynu

[Borna Bonakdarpour @bbonakda]

Our collaboration with the @SoundsGoodChoir to investigate the effects of group singing in older adults and dementia was covered by the @NatGeo written by Mercedes Kane.

@NMuseMed21
@NUMesulamCenter
@NMNeurology
@NorthwesternU
@BienenSchoolNU
#MusicMedicine

[Northwestern @NorthwesternU]

Finding joy and connection through singing—even virtually 🎤💻

A new study found that when singing together with others, benefits abound. For people with neurocognitive disorders like dementia, singing can offer alternative ways of expression. https://t.co/AWkU4MGTXZ

[Borna Bonakdarpour @bbonakda]

This morning Jonathan Miller and I sat down with @ABC7Chicago to talk about health benefits of group singing.
You can read our article here:

https://t.co/iIjQc97xNW

@NUMesulamCenter
@NMNeurology
@NorthwesternU
@NUFeinbergMed
@NMuseMed21
@NorthwesternMed
@SoundsGoodChoir