Anyone who has tried to entertain a baby knows sitting in stillness and silence is probably not the best way to keep them engaged, which presents a challenge for neuroscientists who want to study the developing brain.
Yet with the help of some TV, attentive parents and a lot of patience, researchers have designed protocols that help them keep babies awake and still in an fMRI machine. Doing so is important: Getting a clear reading on these brain scans can reveal never-before-seen details about what parts of the brain are active at a young age, helping researchers answer questions about memory, perception and cognition.
