An amazing discovery unearths the fact that even if a stroke victim can’t talk, they can probably “sing” as different parts of the brain are used for these two separate functions.

Researchers presented these findings at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in San Diego.  They reported that even if a person’s “speech center” is damaged by a stroke, they can learn to use their “singing center” instead.  The therapy is already established as a medical technique. Researchers first used it when it was discovered that stroke patients with brain damage that left them unable to speak were still able to sing.

Most of the connections between brain areas that control movement and those that control hearing are on the left side of the brain.  This is also where the Speech center lies.  As patients learn to put their words to melodies,  connections form on the right side of their brains, where the Singing center resides.