New research from Boston Medical Center (BMC) suggests that the neighborhood where infants grow up influences their brain activity positively. Published in The Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, the study indicates that neighborhoods with better educational and socioeconomic opportunities benefit early childhood development.
Researchers focused on how neighborhood opportunities—such as educational quality and environmental conditions—affect infant brain activity and cognitive development. They discovered that infants living in areas with more opportunities show stronger brain function at six months old. Moreover, improved educational opportunities correlate with better cognitive development by 12 months.
Dr. Mei Elansary, a developmental behavioral pediatrician at BMC, emphasized, “Our findings underscore the importance of neighborhood environments in early childhood development. Enhancing opportunities like access to quality education can significantly support infant neurodevelopment.”
The study involved 65 infants from community pediatric practices in Boston and Los Angeles. Using electroencephalography (EEG), researchers measured brain activity at six months and assessed cognitive development at 12 months using the Mullen Scales of Early Learning (MSEL), a standardized assessment.
Results showed that infants in higher opportunity neighborhoods exhibited greater EEG power in specific brain bands associated with language and cognitive skills. This suggests that early exposure to enriched environments may protect and enhance neurodevelopment in children.
Additionally, neighborhoods with better educational opportunities, including quality childcare centers, were linked to higher MSEL scores. This indicates that supportive neighborhood environments can engage children in stimulating activities crucial for cognitive growth.
Dr. Elansary highlighted the study’s implications: “While past research focused on socioeconomic disparities, our study proposes solutions to improve early childhood environments and address developmental inequalities. Ensuring equal access to high opportunity neighborhoods is critical for all families, particularly those from marginalized communities.”
The findings encourage policymakers and communities to prioritize strategies that enhance neighborhood opportunities to foster optimal infant development.
