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Creative females have larger white matter structures: Evidence from a large sample study
Hikaru Takeuchi1, Yasuyuki Taki1,2,3, Rui Nouchi4,5,6
1Division of Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.
Human Brain Mapping
|September 21, 2016
Summary
Brain connectivity is crucial for creativity. This study found that greater white matter volume in specific brain regions correlates with higher creativity scores, but only in females.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroimaging
Background:
- Brain connectivity is theoretically and empirically linked to creativity.
- Previous research indicates sex differences in creativity and its neural correlates.
- The relationship between regional white matter volume and creativity, including sex differences, remains under-investigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between regional white matter volume (rWMV) and creativity measured by divergent thinking (CMDT).
- To explore potential sex differences in the relationship between rWMV and CMDT.
- To address limitations of previous structural brain studies, such as poor replicability and inaccurate multiple comparisons.
Main Methods:
- Utilized voxel-based morphometry (VBM) on a large sample of healthy young adults (N=1336).
- Employed a robust permutation-based method for whole-brain multiple comparisons correction.
- Examined correlations between rWMV and CMDT scores, and analyzed fractional anisotropy (FA) using diffusion tensor imaging.
Main Results:
- Significant positive correlations between rWMV and CMDT scores were found in widespread subcortical areas exclusively in females.
- No significant associations between fractional anisotropy and CMDT were observed.
- The findings highlight a female-specific relationship between white matter volume and creativity.
Conclusions:
- The study reinforces the importance of brain connectivity for creativity.
- Evidence suggests a female-specific association between regional white matter volume and creativity.
- Rigorous neuroimaging methods confirm unique structural correlates of creativity in females.
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