Neural foundations of joint attention in infancy

Abstract

The early development of social behavior relies on prefrontal cortex development and attention networks across the brain, but it is unknown how early neural foundations are related to social behavior later in the first year of life. We examined how frontal brain electrical activity (electroencephalogram or EEG) power and frontotemporal EEG coherence at 6 months predicted later social behavior at 12 months. In our study, frontotemporal EEG coherence and frontal EEG power at baseline at 6 months predicted initiating joint attention at 12 months. Additionally, change in frontal EEG power from baseline to social task at 6 months predicted initiating joint attention at 12 months. When examining infant’s response to bids for attention from a social partner, frontotemporal coherence change from baseline to social task at 6-months predicted responding to joint attention at 12 months. These findings support the idea that early brain function is foundational for later social development and suggest the potential for early detection of social differences.