Researchers from Mass General Brigham have discovered that different areas of the brain activated during creative tasks are part of a single neural network. By analyzing data from 857 participants in 36 FMRI studies, scientists have identified the overall cerebral circuit responsible for creativity. Their findings have been published in Jama Network Open.
Under the leadership of Julian Kutshe, the team collaborated with scientists from various institutions around the world to analyze neural activity associated with creative processes like drawing, composing music, and writing. They also studied data from patients with brain damage and neurodegenerative diseases that impact creativity.
The results of the study revealed that damage in specific areas of the brain can both decrease and enhance creative abilities. For instance, injuries in the lateral frontal lobe led to a decline in creativity, whereas damage in the front of the frontal lobe actually boosted creative performance.
Of particular interest was the finding that all regions active during creative tasks were negatively correlated with the right frontal lobe, which is responsible for monitoring and following rules. This supports the idea that the creative process may require silencing the “inner critic” to allow for the free flow of ideas.
This study sheds light on why certain neurodegenerative diseases can both dampen and unexpectedly boost creativity. The data obtained also suggest the potential for developing brain stimulation techniques to enhance creative capacity.
One of the study’s authors stated, “We are continuing to explore neurodiversity and how changes in the brain that were once seen as pathological can actually have a positive impact on cognitive functions.”