Characterization of the Stages of Creative Writing With Mobile EEG Using Generalized Partial Directed Coherence
Jesus G Cruz-Garza1, Akshay Sujatha Ravindran1, Anastasiya E Kopteva1
1Laboratory for Non-Invasive Brain-Machine Interface Systems, NSF IUCRC BRAIN, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States.
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience
|January 11, 2021
Summary
Brain activity during creative writing shows distinct patterns. The preparation stage involves information transfer from frontal to temporal areas, while the generation stage shows the reverse, reflecting decision-making in text creation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
- Creative Writing Studies
Background:
- The creative writing process involves distinct cognitive stages.
- Understanding the neural correlates of creativity is crucial for cognitive science.
- Mobile electroencephalography (EEG) offers a novel approach to studying brain activity during real-world tasks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize brain activity patterns during the preparation and generation stages of creative writing.
- To compare functional brain connectivity between these two distinct creative writing phases.
- To investigate the role of specific brain regions and frequency bands in creative text production.
Main Methods:
- Utilized mobile scalp electroencephalography (EEG) with four channels (TP09, AF07, AF08, TP10) in a 16-week creative writing workshop.
- Synchronized EEG with head acceleration, video recordings, and journal entries to capture brain-body activity.
- Employed Generalized Partial Directed Coherence (gPDC) to analyze functional connectivity between brain regions during "Preparation" and "Generation" stages.
Main Results:
- The "Generation" stage showed statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) in directionality from temporal-parietal to frontal areas, particularly in the delta band (1-4 Hz).
- Higher gPDC was observed in inter-hemispheric connections (AF07-AF08) in delta and theta bands, and (AF08-TP09) in alpha and beta bands during the "Generation" stage.
- Increased power in the gamma band (32-50 Hz) was noted in the left anterior-frontal region (AF07) during the "Generation" stage.
Conclusions:
- Information transfer from anterior-frontal to temporal-parietal areas during "Preparation" may reflect multisensory interpretation.
- Brain signal directionality from temporal-parietal to frontal areas during "Generation" suggests a decision-making process for text translation.
- Mobile EEG provides valuable insights into the neural dynamics underlying the creative writing process.
