Scientists have discovered a fascinating link between creativity and cognitive impairment.
In addition to producing art and literature, creativity is essential for problem-solving and adaptation.
A team of investigators set out to better understand the brain circuits that produce creativity and assess the relationship between the functioning of those circuits and brain injury and neurodegenerative disease.
The team was specifically interested in whether creativity maps to a specific brain circuit and whether damage to that circuit aligns with changes in creativity capacity that accompany brain injury and disease.
Using network mapping of meta-analytic data from 857 participants, researchers found that creativity tasks do map to a human brain circuit centered in the front of the brain called the right frontal pole.
Dubbed the “creativity circuit,” damage to this area due to injury or brain disease resulted in both decreases and increases in creativity.
Interestingly, among people with typical brain behavior, researchers believe this circuit area might act as a sort of “brake” on creativity.
When this brake is released through injury or neurodegenerative disease, it can spur an increase in creativity. Experts posit that this break release serves to explain why people with certain brain diseases express latent artistic talent.
Dr. Randy D’Amico, Director of the Brain and Spine Metastasis Program at Northwell Lenox Hill Hospital told The Post this study “flips the usual way we think about brain injuries and mental health on its head.”…pun intended.
“It implies that brain pathology does not only take things away, but can also unlock unexpected abilities,” he continued.
“As we continue to study how brain tumors affect brain connectivity, how our treatments may further influence the function of these critical networks, and what recovery looks like, studies like these are critical to helping map out the incredibly complex functional architecture of the brain.”
D’Amico noted that in addition to brain injuries and brain diseases, mental illness can affect our relationship to creativity.
“Bipolar disorder, for instance, affect the same brain networks tied to creativity — especially the ones that control attention, self-monitoring, and idea generation,” he said.
“If someone’s brain has less inhibition and more free-flowing connections, they might come up with wilder, more original ideas than the average person.”
However, he added that this inhibition can also create disorganized thinking and impulsive behaviors which can complicate daily life.
“While this study doesn’t address mental illness, it backs up the idea that the link between creativity and mental illness isn’t just a stereotype — in certain people, it may be a real, brain-based network phenomenon,” he explained.
For those wondering if a surge in creativity post injury or as they age is a cause for alarm, D’Amico says not necessarily.
“If someone just picks up painting in their 50s or suddenly gets really into writing, that’s probably just them tapping into something they always had inside or could simply be due to life experience, new inspirations, or personal growth,” he said.
However, if that free flowing fount of creativity is accompanied by personality changes, obsessive focus or impulsive behaviors, it might be time to seek medical treatment.
“There are some brain disorders, like frontotemporal dementia, which affects a small percentage of people, where people lose certain cognitive abilities but get unexpected bursts of creativity. So, if someone’s behavior shifts dramatically, it might be worth looking into.
“Otherwise, maybe they’re just letting their creative side out.”
