Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Study: Babies Distinguish Living from Inanimate Objects at 2 Months

2/3/2026

33 6

Summary

Story summary

A Nature Neuroscience study led by Cliona O'Doherty of Trinity College Dublin shows babies can distinguish living from inanimate objects by 2 months old, based on brain scans of 130 infants.
Researchers tracked brain activity and observed differences when infants viewed living versus inanimate objects.
O'Doherty notes the findings imply a more complex understanding of the world and highlights challenges of imaging very young infants.

1 of 1

Story summary

A Nature Neuroscience study led by Cliona O'Doherty of Trinity College Dublin shows babies can distinguish living from inanimate objects by 2 months old, based on brain scans of 130 infants.
Researchers tracked brain activity and observed differences when infants viewed living versus inanimate objects.
O'Doherty notes the findings imply a more complex understanding of the world and highlights challenges of imaging very young infants.