title: Neural correlates of verbal creativity: differences in resting-state functional connectivity associated with expertise in creative writing.
abstract: Neural characteristics of verbal creativity as assessed by word generation tasks have been recently identified, but differences in resting-state functional connectivity (rFC) between experts and non-experts in creative writing have not been reported yet. Previous electroencephalography (EEG) coherence measures during rest demonstrated a decreased cooperation between brain areas in association with creative thinking ability. Here, we used resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging to compare 20 experts in creative writing and 23 age-matched non-experts with respect to rFC strengths within a brain network previously found to be associated with creative writing. Decreased rFC for experts was found between areas 44 of both hemispheres. Increased rFC for experts was observed between right hemispheric caudate and intraparietal sulcus. Correlation analysis of verbal creativity indices (VCIs) with rFC values in the expert group revealed predominantly negative associations, particularly of rFC between left area 44 and left temporal pole. Overall, our data support previous findings of reduced connectivity between interhemispheric areas and increased right-hemispheric connectivity during rest in highly verbally creative individuals.
authors: Functional Imaging Unit, Center for Diagnostic Radiology and Neuroradiology, University of Greifswald Greifswald, Germany.
authors: Martin
authors: M
authors: Lotze
authors: Functional Imaging Unit, Center for Diagnostic Radiology and Neuroradiology, University of Greifswald Greifswald, Germany.
authors: Katharina
authors: K
authors: Erhard
authors: Functional Imaging Unit, Center for Diagnostic Radiology and Neuroradiology, University of Greifswald Greifswald, Germany.
authors: Nicola
authors: N
authors: Neumann
authors: Institute of Clinical Neuroscience and Medical Psychology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf Düsseldorf, Germany ; Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Research Centre Jülich Jülich, Germany.
authors: Simon B
authors: SB
authors: Eickhoff
authors: Institute of Clinical Neuroscience and Medical Psychology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf Düsseldorf, Germany ; Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Research Centre Jülich Jülich, Germany.
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Langner
keywords: basal ganglia; brain; creativity; expertise; functional connectivity; interhemispheric connectivity; resting-state-fMRI; temporal pole