The paper says that absolute pitch, the ability to name a tone without hearing other reference tones (i.e. that note is a C#), is typically found in musicians who began training young (below six). This drug seems to reopen that window and let adult brains learn the skill.
Only 24 people in the study though, and just 18 completed it. The hypothesis seems a little optimistic, and given the sample size, I'd say more data needed.
"Given the difficulty of improving AP performance in adulthood, we hypothesize that in our task, even a small advantage in pitch class identification in the VPA as compared to the placebo group is suggestive..."
Given that I just spent a good chunk of the evening dissatisfied with my ability to play double bass with superior intonation, I'd really like to see more data on these claims. It would be super useful if the study's initial claims were born out in larger studies, though I am not super eager to start experimenting on myself.
Only 24 people in the study though, and just 18 completed it. The hypothesis seems a little optimistic, and given the sample size, I'd say more data needed.
"Given the difficulty of improving AP performance in adulthood, we hypothesize that in our task, even a small advantage in pitch class identification in the VPA as compared to the placebo group is suggestive..."