1. In the Blink of an Eye: Neurotransmitter Predictors of Creativity
Heather A. McDonald, Léa M. Martinon & Leigh M. Riby Department of Psychology, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
Background
Creativity is associated with the neurotransmitter Dopamine (DA)¹.
The role of serotonin (5-HT) has also been considered to be involved in creative ability².
These transmitters have also been related to mood³ - positive mood is thought to enhance creativity.
Eye blink rates (EBR) can be used as an index for dopamine activity and creativity4. Eye blink duration (EBD) has not been investigated within creativity and can be linked as a potential indictor of serotonin activity5.
Aim
Investigate if EBR can be used as a predictor of creativity.
Investigate if EBD can be used as an additional predictor of creativity and assess it’s potential as a biomarker of serotonin activity.
Investigate if mood manipulation elicits changes in ocular indices, reflecting neurotransmitter activity.
Method
Participants: 12 healthy adults (6 male, 6 female), years.
Participants split into high and low creativity based on questionnaire responses6.
Electrooculograms gathered from left eye during a presentation (images rated by valence):
Presentation (mood manipulation): 1 image per second for a total of 4 minutes; 2 minutes of negative images followed by 2 minutes of positive images. Image order was randomised.
Results
Eye Blink Rates
Eye Blink Duration
Negative Images Condition
Significant negative relationship between:
EBD and Global Creativity (p = 0.035)
EBD and ‘Use of Techniques’ (p = 0.031)
EBD and ‘Use of the Senses (p = 0.05)
Conclusions
EBR and EBD can be used as predictors for characteristics of creativity and promising as a reflector of neurotransmitter activity:
‘Use of Techniques’ and ‘Use of Other People’ - most reliable measures for distinguishing mechanisms of creativity.
Higher EBR related to higher questionnaire scores, supporting EBR-DA and DA-creativity links.
Shorter EBD related to higher scores, including Global Creativity.
Similar correlations for EBR and EBD within ‘Use of Techniques’ - Is EBD is a marker for serotonin or a secondary reflection of DA activity?
Differences in correlations between ocular indices suggests that EBD is acting as a marker for an alternative biological activity; perhaps serotonin.
No sig. differences between image conditions - valence may not be strong enough manipulation – arousal may be more effective.
Future Directions
Can other eye activity be used to predict creativity? (e.g. bilateral movement)
Look further into the underlying mechanism(s) of creativity which EBR reflects - which dopaminergic pathways are responsible for creativity?
Further investigate the viability of EBD as a index of serotonin and its relevance to creativity.
FN400 effect F3 Fz F4
Positive Images Condition
Significant positive relationship between:
EBR ‘Use of Techniques’ (p=0.036)
EBR and ‘Use of other People’ (p = 0.005)
Negative Images Condition
EBR and ‘Use of Techniques’ (p = 0.012)
EBR and ‘Use of Other People’ (p = 0.005)
References
1. Guillin, O. et al. (2007). International Review of Neurobiology, 78, 1-39
2. Reuter, M. et al., (2006). Brain Research, 1069,
3. Baas, M. W. K. et al (2011). Psychological Bulletin, 134,
4. Chermahini, S. A et al., (2008). Cognition, 115,
5. Fava M. et al., (2003) Annals of Clinical Psychiatry, 18,
6. Kumar, V. K. et al, (1997) Creativity Research Journal, 10, 51-58
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