Enhanced white matter fiber tract of the cortical visual system in visual artists: implications for creativity

Abstract

IntroductionThis study aimed to examine the white matter characteristics of visual artists (VAs) in terms of visual creativity and the structural connectivity within the cortical visual system.MethodsDiffusion spectrum imaging was utilized to examine the changes in white matter within the cortical visual system of a group of VAs (n = 25) in comparison to a group of healthy controls matched for age and education (n = 24). To assess the integrity of white matter and its relationship with visual creativity, we conducted a comprehensive analysis using region-based and track-specific tractographic examinations.ResultsOur study uncovered that VAs demonstrated increased normalized quantitative anisotropy in specific brain regions, including the right inferior temporal gyrus and right lateral occipital gyrus, along with the corresponding white matter fiber tracts connecting these regions. These enhancements within the cortical visual system were also found to be correlated with measures of visual creativity obtained through psychological assessments.DiscussionThe noted enhancement in the white matter within the cortical visual system of VAs, along with its association with visual creativity, is consistent with earlier research demonstrating heightened functional connectivity in the same system among VAs. Our study’s findings suggest a link between the visual creativity of VAs and structural alterations within the brain’s visual system.

Embodied metacognition as strengthened functional connection between neural correlates of metacognition and dance in dancers: exploring creativity implications

“…Non-motor components of NCD, linked to cognitive and socio-affective dimensions of dance, include the insula, frontoparietal regions (mirror neuron network/action observation network), superior temporal gyrus/superior temporal sulcus (STG/STS), and limbic system substrates ( Karpati et al, 2015 ; Burzynska et al, 2017 ; Zardi et al, 2021 ; Foster Vander Elst et al, 2023 ). Long-term artistic training may consolidate relevant networks and functional connections in the resting brain ( Lin et al, 2013 ; Cheng et al, 2023 ; Hong et al, 2023a , b ; Yang et al, 2023 ). Acknowledging the crucial role of metacognition in dance training, our proposition asserts that proficient dancers are likely to display enhanced connectivity between NCM and NCD, especially in motor components.…”