Certain melodies promote brain development in premature infants. For several years, a team of scientists have observed this phenomenon. They now know more precisely which areas of the brain react over time.
Premature infants are more likely to suffer from attention and emotional regulation disorders. For more than a decade, a team has been investigating an unexpected solution to prevent these problems: music. Scientists at the Geneva University Hospitals (HUG) exposed several cohorts of infants born at an average of 29 weeks to music.
Several of their publications, which have been widely covered in the media, underline the potential of this approach. The team’s latest study demonstrates that music boosts cerebral connectivity in the areas of the brain usually affected in preterm infants.
It would be great to see how this kind of intervention could be integrated into NICU practices across the world.
I’m curious if specific types of music have a more significant impact on babies in NICUs, or if it’s the exposure to any kind of music that helps. It’s fascinating how music might help support neural growth!
This neuroimaging study is a game-changer in understanding how external stimuli like music can help babies in NICUs. Do we know if specific types of music work better than others, or is it more about simply introducing sound early on?