News From the Field

New research draws a map for brain response to touch in young babies: Lips play a central role


July 9, 2018

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Researchers used brain imaging to gauge how the hand, foot and lips are represented in the brains of 2-month-olds -- a much younger age than has been studied previously. It is believed to be the first to reveal the greater neurological activity associated with the lips than with other parts of the body represented in the infant brain. It also indicates how soon infants' brains begin to make sense of their bodies, a first step toward other developmental milestones. Full Story

Source
University of Washington

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