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Neural correlates of gentle skin stroking in early infancy

Jetro J Tuulari1, Noora M Scheinin2, Satu Lehtola3

  • 1FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study, Turku Brain and Mind Center, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland; Turku PET Centre, University of Turku, Turku, Finland; Department of Psychiatry, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.

Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience
|December 16, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Newborn brains respond to gentle touch, activating sensory and social processing areas. This early social touch processing is vital for infant brain development and sensory integration.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Infant Research

Background:

  • Physical affection is crucial for infant brain development.
  • Neural mechanisms of affective touch processing in infants are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate brain responses to gentle skin stroking in neonates.
  • To identify neural correlates of affective touch in early infancy.

Main Methods:

  • Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used on 13 infants (11-36 days old).
  • Gentle skin stroking was applied to the leg to activate somatosensory and socio-affective regions.
  • Brain responses were analyzed in the postcentral gyrus and posterior insular cortex.

Main Results:

  • Significant brain responses were observed in both the postcentral gyrus and posterior insular cortex.
  • The neonate brain demonstrates responsiveness to gentle tactile stimuli within weeks of birth.
  • Activation patterns suggest early engagement of both primary somatosensory and socio-affective processing pathways.

Conclusions:

  • The infant brain is receptive to gentle skin stroking shortly after birth.
  • Social touch processing involves key brain regions even in the neonatal period.
  • Findings highlight the foundational role of social touch in early sensory processing and development.

Keywords:
DevelopmentInfantsSocial touchTouchfMRI

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