Dynamic switching between brain networks predicts creative ability
Qunlin Chen1,2, Yoed N Kenett3, Zaixu Cui4
1Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.
Communications Biology
|January 14, 2025
Summary
Creativity relies on balancing spontaneous thought and cognitive control, linked to switching between the Default Mode Network (DMN) and Executive Control Network (ECN). Optimal creativity requires a balanced dynamic between these brain networks.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
- Psychology
Background:
- Creativity is often linked to a balance between spontaneous thought and cognitive control.
- This balance is hypothesized to be reflected in functional connectivity between the Default Mode Network (DMN) and Executive Control Network (ECN).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between creativity and dynamic switching between the DMN and ECN.
- To examine if the balance of DMN-ECN switching predicts creative performance.
Main Methods:
- A large-scale, multi-center meta-analytic network neuroscience approach using resting-state fMRI data from 2433 participants across 5 countries.
- Time-resolved network analysis to assess dynamic switching between DMN and ECN.
- An independent task-fMRI validation study with 31 participants.
Main Results:
- Creativity, specifically divergent thinking ability, was reliably predicted by the number of DMN-ECN switches.
- General intelligence was not predicted by DMN-ECN switches.
- An inverted-U relationship was observed between creativity and the balance of DMN-ECN switching, indicating optimal performance at intermediate levels of switching.
Conclusions:
- Dynamic switching between the DMN and ECN is crucial for creativity.
- Optimal creative performance is associated with a balanced interplay between spontaneous and controlled cognitive processes.
- This study provides robust, multi-center evidence linking brain network dynamics to creative capacity.
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