Amusia

a neurological disorder that affects the ability to process music. Amusia can affect the perception of music (e.g., recognize a familiar melody) or the production of music (e.g., playing a perviously known musical instrument). Amusia can be aquired (e.g., from brain damage) or congenital (present at birth). The term amusia was coined in 1888 by the German physician August Knoblauch. Amusia is thought to be caused by damage to the areas of the brain that are responsible for music, including the frontal and temporal lobes; however, the specific areas of brain damage are related to the specific symptoms and clinical presentations of amusia.

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