Blending oxytocin and dopamine with everyday creativity.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Genetics
• Psychology

Background:

• Oxytocin (OT) is implicated in creative thinking (CT).
• OT release is dependent on ADP-ribosyl-cyclases (CD38 and CD157).
• Dopaminergic (DA) pathways are crucial for CT and OT function, but their genetic links remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between CT, specifically divergent thinking (AUT), and the gene expression of CD38, CD157, dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2), and catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT).
• To explore the interplay between OT and DA systems in relation to CT.

Main Methods:

• Assessed divergent thinking (AUT) in relation to peripheral gene expression of CD38, CD157, DRD2, and COMT.
• Analyzed gene expression interactions (CD38 × CD157, DRD2 × COMT).
• Examined interactions between OT and DA systems.

Main Results:

• In men, AUT showed significant associations with CD38, CD157, and their interaction (CD38 × CD157).
• No significant associations were found between DA gene expression (DRD2, COMT, DRD2 × COMT) and CT measures in men.
• Significant interactions between OT and DA systems were observed for AUT in men.
• A comprehensive model explained 39% of the variance in total CT score in females.

Conclusions:

• OT and DA gene expression significantly contribute to cognitive abilities and the CT phenotype.
• This study provides foundational molecular insights into the neurobiology of CT.