Human newborns form musical predictions based on rhythmic but not melodic structure
Roberta Bianco, Brigitta Tóth, Félix Bigand, Trinh Nguyen, István Sziller, Gábor P. Háden, István Winkler, Giacomo Novembre
This study shows newborns can track rhythmic statistical regularities in music but not melodic information, suggesting rhythm develops earlier than melody.
PLoS Biology · Feb 5, 2026Peer-reviewedNeuroscience