Abstract Details

Title Neuropsychological Correlates of Age-Related Changes in Human Creativity

Topic Behavioral Neurology

Presentation(s) P07 - (-)

Poster/Presentation
Number 161

Objective

Background BACKGROUND: Creative output diminishes with increasing age, yet the proportion of creative "masterpieces" produced remains constant (Simonton 1988). How might this seeming paradox be explained? A proposed novel neurobiological schema identified motivation, perception/mental imagery, action (strategic formulation and dexterous execution), temperament, and social context as the framework of creative behavior (Caselli 2009). Each of these components can be modeled neuropsychologically.

Design/Methods DESIGN/METHODS: In this exploratory cross sectional study 351 healthy members of the Arizona APOE Cohort age 21-81 (mean 57.6 +/- 9.7) years, 69% women, and mean educational level 16.0 +/- 2.4 years completed the Iowa Gambling Task as well as a battery of other neuropsychological tests relevant for the creativity model, and their performances were correlated with age.

Results RESULTS: Some measures relevant to strategic formulation including fund of knowledge (R=.27, p<.0001) and vocabulary (R=.15, p=.006) improved with increasing age while measures sensitive to temperament (NEO Neuroticism and Openness Factors, R=-.08, p=.13) and social standing (community and socioeconomic ladders R=.12, p=.15; income R=.08, p=.13) remained stable. Measures that declined included those sensitive to motivation (Iowa Gambling Task, R=-.17, p=.002), perception (facial recognition test, R=-.19, p=.003), mental imagery (self-image, R=-.2, P=.0002), action/formulation (Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, R=-.23, p<.0001), and action/dexterity (Trail Making Test, R=.32, p<.0001, digit symbol substitution, R=-.39, p<.0001, paced auditory serial attention task, R=-.12, p=.03, complex figure copy, R=-.13, p=.01).

Conclusions CONCLUSIONS: Within the proposed creativity schema, measures reflecting motivation, perception, and action, especially certain executive skills reflecting problem solving and psychomotor speed declined with increasing age while fund of knowledge and vocabulary increased. Slower problem solving and production may underlie reduced quantity while improved informational resources may underlie the preservation of potential creative quality.

Authors/Disclosures
Richard J. Caselli, MD, FAAN (Mayo Clinic) PRESENTER	The institution of Dr. Caselli has received research support from NIA. The institution of Dr. Caselli has received research support from State of Arizona.
David M. Simpson, MD, FAAN (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai)	Dr. Simpson has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Allergan. Dr. Simpson has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as a Consultant for Merz.

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