Although this disease is not reversible, recent research shows that music, particularly that from when the person was a teenager, can help unlock seemingly lost memories and restore some cognitive functioning in some people who suffer from Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia as well as stroke victims with memory impairment.

Oh my. Does this explain my sudden desire to listen to those old '50 best recorded songs' tapes from the 40s and 50s? Goodness knows I could use some restoration of cognitive functioning. ;-)

Fwiw, at my grandson's wedding recently his other grandma (who suffers from Alzheimer's) suddenly got up and joined in the dancing. She remembered the lyrics to some of the songs and sang along while doing a few nifty dance steps. So maybe this really works.