The Dynamics of Resting-State Alpha Oscillations Predict Individual Differences in Creativity

The neuronal mechanisms underlying creativity are poorly understood. Here, we investigated whether temporal dynamics of functional brain activity is a biomarker of creative ideation. Specifically, we investigated whether long-range temporal correlations in fluctuating resting-state alpha oscillations predict human creativity. Because lower temporal correlations reflect faster brain state switching, and faster state switching may be associated with increased flexibility of mind, we hypothesized that subjects with lower temporal correlations would show higher creativity. Creativity was measured by self-rating, examiner-rating and the alternative uses task in 40 healthy young adults, and scored on dimensions of verbal fluency, originality, elaboration, usefulness, and flexibility. For each dimension, the total number of subject-reported alternative uses that matched the criterium was noted (the quantity measure), as well as the proportion of uses that matched the dimensional criterium. A principal components analysis confirmed the two-component structure of quantity and quality. Eyes-open resting-state brain activity was measured by electroencephalogram (EEG) with 128 channels. Scaling exponents β were derived from spectral analysis of the amplitude modulation of 8-13 Hz oscillations, where high exponents β reflect lower decay of autocorrelation and slower switching of brain. Partial correlation analysis was used controlling for gender and age, and a cluster permutation test was performed correcting for multiple testing. Significant negative correlations between creativity and temporal correlations were observed, most prominent in right central/temporal brain areas. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration that individual variation in the intrinsic dynamics of the brain may offer a neuronal explanation for individual variation in both the quality and quantity of creative ideation.