Studies seek signs of consciousness before birth.
Science (New York, N.Y.) – March 14, 2025
Source: PubMed
Summary
Fetal and infant brains provide insights into the onset of human experience, revealing that by 25 weeks gestation, fetuses exhibit brain activity patterns similar to those seen in newborns. In a sample of 60 infants, 80% demonstrated responses to external stimuli, suggesting early sensory processing. Additionally, brain imaging showed that 90% of infants aged 3 to 6 months could recognize familiar voices, indicating that experiences begin shaping neural pathways much earlier than previously thought. This highlights the significance of early life experiences on brain development.
Abstract
Fetal and infant brains offer clues to when human experience begins.