Brain's social pathway active at birth
Brain's social perception pathway active at birth, linked to later social behavior.
Why it matters
- Early brain connectivity may predict later social skills.
- Insight into the development of social behaviors.
By the numbers
- Stronger connectivity at birth linked to more attention to faces at 4 months.
- Greater attention to faces at 4 months associated with fewer social difficulties at 18 months.
The big picture
- Understanding early brain development can aid in supporting infants with potential social difficulties.
What they're saying
- Researchers suggest early brain processes support social attention.
- Less attention to faces is a key marker of autism spectrum disorder.
Caveats
- Observational data; causality not inferred.
- Sample size and methods not specified.
What’s next
- Explore early interventions for better social skills development.