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	Podcast:		UC Science Today
	Episode:		Does talking or singing to newborns really improve their development?
	Category:		Science & Medicine
	Duration:		00:01:02
	Publish Date:		2017-01-29 18:00:00
	Description:		Many mothers talk or sing to their newborns, but how does this really help babies’ development? Mercedes Paredes, a neurologist at the University of California, San Francisco, thinks such stimulation might affect inhibitory neurons that keep fine-tuning and shaping infants’ brains during the first couple of months of their lives. “These cells are reaching their target, these brain regions that control the development of motor skills, social skills and language skills. So, I imagine that they might play a role in that. And understanding how they do that will be important for parents. These are foundations of how the milestones develop.” But Paredes adds, if these neurons become damaged – during or soon after birth - that could trigger childhood psychiatric and neurological disorders – like epilepsy. “The first couple of months to a year of life are uniquely active for the brain and we need to do things to protect the brain or at least be cognizant of the potential damage that could happen.”
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