The Institute for Music and Neurologic Function (IMNF) is a US

nonprofit organization A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...

conducting research into and applying

music therapy Music therapy, an allied health profession, "is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music th ...

. It is located in

Mount Vernon, New York Mount Vernon is a city in Westchester County, New York, Westchester County, New York (state), New York, United States. It is an inner suburb of New York City, immediately to the north of the Borough (New York City), borough of the Bronx. As of t ...

Mission

The mission of the institute is to develop and apply music-based therapies emanating from new discoveries and educational collaborations within the international research and treatment communities. Its aim is to restore, maintain and improve the physical, emotional and neurologic functioning in people who have been debilitated through

stroke A stroke is a medical condition in which poor blood flow to the brain causes cell death. There are two main types of stroke: ischemic, due to lack of blood flow, and hemorrhagic, due to bleeding. Both cause parts of the brain to stop functionin ...

, trauma,

dementia Dementia is a disorder which manifests as a set of related symptoms, which usually surfaces when the brain is damaged by injury or disease. The symptoms involve progressive impairments in memory, thinking, and behavior, which negatively affe ...

Alzheimer's Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease that usually starts slowly and progressively worsens. It is the cause of 60–70% of cases of dementia. The most common early symptom is difficulty in remembering recent events. As t ...

disease,

Parkinson's Parkinson's disease (PD), or simply Parkinson's, is a long-term degenerative disorder of the central nervous system that mainly affects the motor system. The symptoms usually emerge slowly, and as the disease worsens, non-motor symptoms becom ...

and other processes through the systematic use of music. The director of the institute Dr. Concetta M. Tomaino states that "If you're stimulating almost every key component of our brain at one time, you have a way of reaching areas of the brain that are still functioning." The institute claims results of their treatment such as regaining memory loss, rebuilding motor skills, calming and counteracting apprehension or fear, promoting movement for physical rehabilitation, and recovering language skills.

History

The institute was formerly a member of the CenterLight Health System (formerly Beth Abraham Family of Health Services)—has for 35 years conducted clinical research studies on the effects of music on the human condition. The tax-exempt

private foundation A private foundation is a tax-exempt organization not relying on broad public support and generally claiming to serve humanitarian purposes. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is the largest private foundation in the U.S. with over $38 billion ...

was founded in 1995. It is directed by music therapist Dr.

Concetta M. Tomaino Concetta Tomaino (born July 30, 1954), is the executive director and co-founder of the Institute for Music and Neurologic Function (IMNF). Tomaino is internationally known for her research in the clinical applications of music and neurologic rehab ...

and was provided scientific guidance by neurologist

Oliver Sacks Oliver Wolf Sacks, (9 July 1933 – 30 August 2015) was a British neurologist, naturalist, historian of science, and writer. Born in Britain, Sacks received his medical degree in 1958 from The Queen's College, Oxford, before moving to the Uni ...

, now deceased. In 2017, the organization partnered with

Wartburg (retirement community) Wartburg Mount Vernon Inc. is a non-profit, Lutheran organization located in Mount Vernon, New York that provides a continuum of care to older adults through residential and community-based programs and services. Wartburg was founded in 1866 as an ...

to bring music to those with brain injuries, diseases, and other ailments. In July 2022, The IMNF received a $13,000 grant from the

Parkinson's Foundation The Parkinson's Foundation is a national organization that funds research and provides educational resources to Parkinson’s disease patients and caregivers. The Parkinson's Foundation was established in 2016 through the merger of the National P ...

for “Music Has Power® For Parkinson’s.” In January, 2023 research continues on modified music and synchronized light to treat

Alzheimer's disease Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegeneration, neurodegenerative disease that usually starts slowly and progressively worsens. It is the cause of 60–70% of cases of dementia. The most common early symptom is difficulty in short-term me ...

. Oscillo founder and Chief Science Officer (CSO) Edward Large, Ph.D., a professor at the University of Connecticut, states that despite $42.5 billion spent on research since 1995, there is still no cure for Alzheimer’s: “This disease is growing at an alarming rate, and time is of the essence. We scientists need to look at new ways to treat the problem. Digital therapeutics such as ours are a growing category recognized by the FDA (Food & Drug Administration). Our treatment is showing very encouraging results, and we’re excited that it is noninvasive, drug-free, well-tolerated and even enjoyable for patients to use.”

References

External links

Institute for Music and Neurologic Function

CenterLight Health System
1995 establishments in New York (state) Medical and health organizations based in New York (state) Organizations based in New York City Music therapy Alternative medicine organizations Neurology organizations {{US-health-org-stub