Investigating absolute pitch with neuroimaging techniques – Literature review Patrícia Vanzella pvanzella@yahoo.com Universidade de Brasília, Departamento de Música Maria Angela M. Barreiros mariamb@einstein.br Instituto do Cérebro, Instituto Israelita de Ensino e Pesquisa Albert Einstein, São Paulo Lionel F. Gamarra lgamarra@if.usp.br Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, Departamento de Radiologia, São Paulo Edson Amaro Junior edson.amaro@gmail.com Universidade de São Paulo, Escola de Medicina, Departamento de Radiologia Abstract The objective of this investigation is to summarize neuroimaging findings about the neural correlates of absolute pitch (AP). MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar were searched for articles published between 1995 and 2009. Search terms were: “Absolute Pitch” or “Perfect Pitch” AND “Neuroimaging” or “MRI” or “fMRI” or “Magnetic Resonance” or “PET.” We selected studies written in English, reporting ori- ginal experimental data, involving human subjects, and employing magnetic reso- nance (MRI or fMRI) and/or positron emission tomography (PET) to investigate AP. Thirteen articles were selected: six fMRI, two PET/MRI, and five MRI only studies. A pronounced leftward asymmetry of the planum temporale (PT) was described in AP individuals. Left temporal cortex activation patterns differed for AP subjects vs. non- AP musicians and non-musicians when listening to musical stimuli. Different cortical structures are involved in AP in blind subjects. Early musical training does not seem to contribute to the anatomical features of AP. This cognitive ability seems to be as- sociated with anatomical and functional modifications in frontal and temporal brain lobes, especially in the left side. Nevertheless, a standard method to determine AP ability and a more homogeneous use of neuroimaging techniques are required to confirm and advance these findings. Keywords absolute pitch – neuroimaging – auditory perception 47