Enhanced white matter fiber tract of the cortical visual system in visual artists: implications for creativity

Tzu-Yi Hong; Ching-Ju Yang; Li-Kai Cheng; Wei-Chi Li; Wen-Yih Isaac Tseng; Tzu-Chen Yeh; Hsin-Yen Yu; Li-Fen Chen; Jen-Chuen Hsieh

doi:10.3389/fnins.2023.1248266

Enhanced white matter fiber tract of the cortical visual system in visual artists: implications for creativity

Front Neurosci. 2023 Oct 25:17:1248266. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1248266. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Tzu-Yi Hong^{1

2

3}, Ching-Ju Yang^{1

2

3}, Li-Kai Cheng^{1

2}, Wei-Chi Li^{1

2

4}, Wen-Yih Isaac Tseng⁵, Tzu-Chen Yeh^{1

2

6}, Hsin-Yen Yu⁷, Li-Fen Chen^{1

2

8

9}, Jen-Chuen Hsieh^{2

3

4

9}

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Brain Science, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.
² Integrated Brain Research Unit, Division of Clinical Research, Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
³ Center for Intelligent Drug Systems and Smart Bio-devices (IDS2B), National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan.
⁴ Department of Biological Science and Technology, College of Biological Science and Technology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan.
⁵ Institute of Medical Device and Imaging, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
⁶ Department of Radiology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
⁷ Graduate Institute of Arts and Humanities Education, Taipei National University of the Arts, Taipei, Taiwan.
⁸ Institute of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.
⁹ Brain Research Center, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.

Abstract

Introduction: This study aimed to examine the white matter characteristics of visual artists (VAs) in terms of visual creativity and the structural connectivity within the cortical visual system.

Methods: Diffusion spectrum imaging was utilized to examine the changes in white matter within the cortical visual system of a group of VAs (n = 25) in comparison to a group of healthy controls matched for age and education (n = 24). To assess the integrity of white matter and its relationship with visual creativity, we conducted a comprehensive analysis using region-based and track-specific tractographic examinations.

Results: Our study uncovered that VAs demonstrated increased normalized quantitative anisotropy in specific brain regions, including the right inferior temporal gyrus and right lateral occipital gyrus, along with the corresponding white matter fiber tracts connecting these regions. These enhancements within the cortical visual system were also found to be correlated with measures of visual creativity obtained through psychological assessments.

Discussion: The noted enhancement in the white matter within the cortical visual system of VAs, along with its association with visual creativity, is consistent with earlier research demonstrating heightened functional connectivity in the same system among VAs. Our study's findings suggest a link between the visual creativity of VAs and structural alterations within the brain's visual system.

Keywords: cortical visual system; creativity; diffusion spectrum imaging; quantitative anisotropy; tractography; visual artist.

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology of Taiwan (NSC 102-2420-H-075-001-MY3, NSC 102-2420-H-075-001-MY3-2, NSC 102-2420-H-075-001-MY3-3, NSC 102-2420-H-010-005-MY3, NSC 102-2420-H-010-005-MY3-2, and NSC 102-2420-H-010-005-MY3-3), Taipei Veterans General Hospital (V99C1–155), and the Aim for the Top University Plan of the Ministry of Education for National Yang-Ming University. Brain Research Center, National Yang-Ming University from The Featured Areas Research Center Program within the framework of the Higher Education Sprout Project, and Center for Intelligent Drug Systems and Smart Bio-devices (IDS²B) from the Featured Areas Research Center Program within the framework of the Higher Education Sprout Project by the Ministry of Education in Taiwan.