Sculpting the Intrinsic Modular Organization of Spontaneous Brain Activity by Art

PLoS One. 2013 Jun 26;8(6):e66761. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0066761. Print 2013.

Abstract

Artistic training is a complex learning that requires the meticulous orchestration of sophisticated polysensory, motor, cognitive, and emotional elements of mental capacity to harvest an aesthetic creation. In this study, we investigated the architecture of the resting-state functional connectivity networks from professional painters, dancers and pianists. Using a graph-based network analysis, we focused on the art-related changes of modular organization and functional hubs in the resting-state functional connectivity network. We report that the brain architecture of artists consists of a hierarchical modular organization where art-unique and artistic form-specific brain states collectively mirror the mind states of virtuosos. We show that even in the resting state, this type of extraordinary and long-lasting training can macroscopically imprint a neural network system of spontaneous activity in which the related brain regions become functionally and topologically modularized in both domain-general and domain-specific manners. The attuned modularity reflects a resilient plasticity nurtured by long-term experience.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Art*
  • Brain / physiology*
  • Dancing
  • Humans
  • Music
  • Nerve Net
  • Neuronal Plasticity
  • Paintings

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the Taipei Veterans General Hospital (V98C1-117, V99C1-155, V101E3-002), the National Science Council of Taiwan (NSC 102-2420-H-075-001-MY3, NSC 102-2420-H-010-004-MY3, NSC 102-2420-H-010-005-MY3), the Aim for the Top University Plan from the Ministry of Education for National Yang-Ming University, and the National Key Basic Research and Development Program of China (973) (Grant No. 2011CB707800). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.