AoA-L2 and Usage-L2 modulate the functional neuroplasticity of the subcortex.

Previous studies revealed structural differences in subcortical regions between monolinguals and bilinguals; however, whether the functional neuroplasticity of the subcortex is modulated by different bilingual experiences remains unclear. Here, we examined the effect of age of second language acquisition (AoA-L2) and usage of L2 (Usage-L2) on subcorto-cortical and intra-subcortical functional connectivity (FC) in bilinguals by using resting-state fMRI data. The relations between brain measurements and bilingual experiences were revealed by using multiple regression analysis. We found that increased AoA-L2 was mainly related to decreased subcortical FC involving the anterior thalamus, basal ganglia, and hippocampus. Increased Usage-L2 at home was mainly associated with decreased subcortical FC of the amygdala, globus pallidus, hippocampus, and nucleus accumbens. The FC of these subcortical regions displayed a positive relation with Usage-L2 in social settings. These findings reveal that bilingual experiences modulate the functional neuroplasticity of the subcortex in different ways.

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) targeting the postcentral gyrus reduces malevolent creative ideation.

Malevolent creativity (MC) is defined as a manifestation in which people propose to materially, mentally or physically harm themselves or others in a novel manner. Malevolent creative ideation can be inhibited by high moral emotions (i.e. sympathy, guilt and shame) and low negative emotions, which promote prosocial behaviors. Given that the right postcentral gyrus (PCG) is involved in generating sympathy and emotional recognition for others and the right middle frontal gyrus (MFG) is involved in emotional regulation, we suggest that the right PCG and right MFG may play important roles in malevolent creative ideation. In Study 1, we recruited 98 healthy and right-handed college participants (80 females, age = 21.11 ± 2.00 years) and examined the role of the right PCG in malevolent creative ideation using transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). The results showed that the accuracy of emotional recognition changed when the right PCG received electrical stimulation. Enhancing the activation of the right PCG reduced MC originality and fluency, whereas inhibiting it increased MC originality and fluency. In Study 2, we recruited 91 healthy and right-handed college participants (74 females, age = 21.22 ± 2.28 years) and examined the role of the right MFG in malevolent creative ideation using tDCS. The results showed no significant difference in malevolent creative performance between the pre- and post-test when electrical stimulation was applied over the right MFG. These findings indicate that enhancing the activation of the right PCG, which is closely correlated with emotional recognition, reduces an individual's malevolent creative ideation.

The hyper-brain neural couplings distinguishing high-creative group dynamics: an fNIRS hyperscanning study.

This hyperscanning study aimed to identify a neural coupling profile that distinguishes high-creative group dynamics through functional near infrared spectroscopy. A total of 123 dyads completed one creativity task (alternative uses task, AUT) and contrast task (objective characteristics task). A K-means clustering analysis on AUT performance grouped 31/29 dyads into high/low-creative group, respectively. In comparison with the low-creative group, the high-creative group showed: (i) higher collective flexibility and delayed perspective-taking behaviors, but lower immediate perspective-taking behaviors; (ii) enhanced interpersonal brain synchronization (IBS) between the left inferior frontal gyrus (lIFG) and right motor cortex, and nodal Eloc at the right superior temporal gyrus (rSTG); (iii) declined intrapersonal functional connectivity between the right angular gyrus (rAG) and rSTG, and IBS between the lIFG and rAG. The enhanced neural couplings positively correlated with group creative performance, whereas a reverse correlation pattern existed in the declined ones. A leave-one-out cross-validation analysis showed these neural couplings reliably predicted group creative performance within the sample. These indicate that high-creative group dynamics are characterized by utilizing partners' shared information when necessary (e.g. encountering idea exhaustion). A neural coupling profile consisting of sophisticated interplays between regions within frontal, temporal, and parietal lobes may underlie high-creative creative dynamics.

Darkness within: The Internal Mechanism between Dark Triad and Malevolent Creativity.

The Dark Triad has been found to be associated with malevolent creativity (MC) in terms of trait level, and its underlying mechanism remains unclear. Based on the cognitive-affective processing system theory and the existing studies, the current study aimed to explore the internal mechanism between the Dark Triad and MC behavioral tendencies/performance. The results revealed that the Dark Triad is positively related to MC behavioral tendencies through trait aggression and general creativity behavioral tendencies. Regarding MC performance, the Dark Triad is positively related to the originality of malevolent ideas through MC behavioral tendencies, but this effect is only significant at low-to-medium levels of moral identity. In line with moral identity theory, a higher moral identity may prevent individuals from acting immorally due to their desire to maintain their moral image, which may further suppress malevolent idea generation. Therefore, cultivating moral identity may be an effective approach to weaken the Dark Triad-MC performance association.

Large Room Temperature Magnetization Enhancement in a Copper-Based Photoactive Metal-Organic Framework.

The tris(pyridin-4-yl)amine ligand was found to exhibit a radical-actuated coloration phenomenon, and a novel copper-based color-changeable metal-organic framework (MOF) was synthesized via this photoactive ligand. After light irradiation, the photogenerated stable radicals in this framework induced increasing amplitude of magnetization (32%) at room temperature, being the largest enhancement among radical-based photochromic systems.

Close spatial distance and direct gaze bring better communication outcomes and more intertwined neural networks.

Non-verbal cues tone our communication. Previous studies found that non-verbal factors, such as spatial distance and gaze direction, significantly impact interpersonal communication. However, little is known about the behind multi-brain neural correlates and whether it could affect high-level creative group communication. Here, we provided a new, scalable, and neuro-based approach to explore the effects of non-verbal factors on different communication tasks, and revealed the underlying multi-brain neural correlates using fNIRS-based hyperscanning technique. Across two experiments, we found that closer spatial distance and more direct gaze angle could promote collaborative behaviors, improve both creative and non-creative communication outcomes, and enhance inter-brain neural synchronization. Moreover, compared to the non-creative communication task, participants' inter-brain network was more intertwined when performing the creative communication task. These findings suggest that close spatial distance and direct gaze serve as positive social cues, bringing interacting brains into alignment and optimizing inter-brain information transfer, thus improving communication outcomes.

Achieving large thermal hysteresis in an anthracene-based manganese(II) complex via photo-induced electron transfer.

Achieving magnetic bistability with large thermal hysteresis is still a formidable challenge in material science. Here we synthesize a series of isostructural chain complexes using 9,10-anthracene dicarboxylic acid as a photoactive component. The electron transfer photochromic Mn2+ and Zn2+ compounds with photogenerated diradicals are confirmed by structures, optical spectra, magnetic analyses, and density functional theory calculations. For the Mn2+ analog, light irradiation changes the spin topology from a single Mn2+ ion to a radical-Mn2+ single chain, further inducing magnetic bistability with a remarkably wide thermal hysteresis of 177 K. Structural analysis of light irradiated crystals at 300 and 50 K reveals that the rotation of the anthracene rings changes the Mn1-O2-C8 angle and coordination geometries of the Mn2+ center, resulting in magnetic bistability with this wide thermal hysteresis. This work provides a strategy for constructing molecular magnets with large thermal hysteresis via electron transfer photochromism.

Middle occipital area differentially associates with malevolent versus benevolent creativity: An fNIRS investigation.

This study aimed to explore the neural correlates underlying idea generation during malevolent creativity (MC) using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Participants were asked to solve problems during three types of creativity tasks: malevolent creativity task (MCT), benevolent creativity task (BCT), and alternative uses task (AUT). fNIRS was used to record individual cerebral activity during the tasks. The results revealed that participants demonstrated weaker neural activation in the right middle occipital area (rMO) and lower neural coupling (NC) between the right frontopolar cortex (rFPC) and rMO during MCT than during BCT and AUT. These suggest that r-MO activity and NC between the rFPC and rMO may distinguish between malevolent and benevolent forms of creative ideation.

The dark side of creativity: Neural correlates of malevolent creative idea generation.

Malevolent creativity, as one dark side of creativity, refers to manifestations people propose to harm themselves or others materially, mentally, or physically in an innovative way. This study aimed to explore the neural correlates of malevolent creative idea generation using task-based static and dynamic functional connectivity (FC) analysis across different time periods. We collected 34 participants who performed malevolent creativity task (MCT), benevolent creativity task (BCT), and realistic presented problems task (RPPT) in the fMRI scanner. The static connectivity analysis showed lower FC strength and global and local efficiency between the dorsal somatomotor network (dSMN), visual network (VN), default mode network (DMN), and reward network (RN) in MCT and RPPT than BCT. Dynamic connectivity analysis showed higher dynamic network reconfiguration in the DMN during MCT than BCT and RPPT. The behavioral results showed higher anxiety, anger, and lower pleasure in MCT than in BCT and RPPT. These findings indicate that the dSMN, VN, RN, and DMN are specifically involved in malevolent creative idea generation. Our findings provide the neural correlates of malevolent creative idea generation using neuroimaging techniques for the first time, which provides insight into the future study of malevolent creativity.

Subcortical structures and visual divergent thinking: a resting-state functional MRI analysis.

An increasing number of studies have found that a few, specific subcortical regions are involved in creative visual divergent thinking. In addition, creative thinking is heavily reliant on the fronto-striatal dopaminergic pathways. This study aimed to explore whether spontaneous fluctuations in the subcortex, which contribute to our creative abilities, showed significant differences between individuals with different levels of creativity based on resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data. We calculated subcortical regions' seed-wise and dynamic functional connectivity (dFC), and then examined the differences between the high and low visual creativity groups. Furthermore, the topological properties of the subcortical network were measured, and their relationship with creative visual divergent thinking was calculated using brain-behavior correlation analyses. The results showed that functional connectivity (FC) between the putamen, pallidum, and thalamus indicated group differences within the subcortex. Whole-brain FC results showed group differences across subcortical (i.e., the thalamus and pallidum) and cerebral regions (i.e., the insula, middle frontal gyrus, and middle temporal gyrus). In addition, subcortical FC demonstrated a positive correlation with visual divergent thinking scores across the pallidum, putamen, and thalamus. Our findings provide novel insights into the relationship between visual divergent thinking and the activities of the subcortex. It is likely that not only fronto-striatal dopaminergic pathways, but also "motor" pathways, are involved in creative visual divergent thinking processing.

The indispensable role of the cerebellum in visual divergent thinking.

Recent research has shown that the cerebellum is involved not only in motor control but also in higher-level activities, which are closely related to creativity. This study aimed to explore the role of the cerebellum in visual divergent thinking based on its intrinsic activity. To this end, we selected the resting-state fMRI data of high- (n = 22) and low-level creativity groups (n = 22), and adopted the voxel-wise, seed-wise, and dynamic functional connectivity to identify the differences between the two groups. Furthermore, the topological properties of the cerebello-cerebral network and their relations with visual divergent thinking were calculated. The voxel-wise functional connectivity results indicated group differences across the cerebellar (e.g. lobules VI, VIIb, Crus I, and Crus II) and cerebral regions (e.g. superior frontal cortex, middle frontal cortex, and inferior parietal gyrus), as well as the cerebellar lobules (e.g. lobules VIIIa, IX, and X) and the cerebral brain regions (the cuneus and precentral gyrus). We found a significant correlation between visual divergent thinking and activities of the left lobules VI, VIIb, Crus I, and Crus II, which are associated with executive functions. Our overall results provide novel insight into the important role of the cerebellum in visual divergent thinking.

Eyes Closed Elevates Brain Intrinsic Activity of Sensory Dominance Networks: A Classifier Discrimination Analysis.

Brain neocortex is usually dominated by visual input (with eyes open [EO]), whereas this visual predominance could be reduced by closing eyes. Cutting off visual input from the eyes (with eyes closed [EC]) would also benefit other sensory performance; however, the neural basis underlying the state-switching remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the brain intrinsic activity of either the EO or EC states by using the resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data from 22 healthy participants. The 10 resting-state networks (RSNs) of these participants were explored by the independent component analysis method. Within each RSN, various network parameters (i.e., the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation, the voxel-wise weighted degree centrality, and the RSN-wise functional connectivity) were measured to depict the brain intrinsic activity properties underlying the EO and EC states. Taking these brain intrinsic activity properties as discriminative features in a linear classifier, we found that the EO and EC states could be effectively classified using the intrinsic properties of the sensory dominance networks and the salience network (SN). Further analysis showed that the brain intrinsic activity within the sensory dominance networks was constantly overwhelmed during the EC state relative to that in the EO state. The SN might play a key role as a switcher between state-switching. Therefore, this study indicated that the brain intrinsic activity in the sensory dominance networks would be enhanced with EC, which might improve other sensory-relative task performance.

Relation of visual creative imagery manipulation to resting-state brain oscillations.

Visual creative imagery (VCI) manipulation is the key component of visual creativity; however, it remains largely unclear how it occurs in the brain. The present study investigated the brain neural response to VCI manipulation and its relation to intrinsic brain activity. We collected functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) datasets related to a VCI task and a control task as well as pre- and post-task resting states in sequential sessions. A general linear model (GLM) was subsequently used to assess the specific activation of the VCI task compared with the control task. The changes in brain oscillation amplitudes across the pre-, on-, and post-task states were measured to investigate the modulation of the VCI task. Furthermore, we applied a Granger causal analysis (GCA) to demonstrate the dynamic neural interactions that underlie the modulation effect. We determined that the VCI task specifically activated the left inferior frontal gyrus pars triangularis (IFGtriang) and the right superior frontal gyrus (SFG), as well as the temporoparietal areas, including the left inferior temporal gyrus, right precuneus, and bilateral superior parietal gyrus. Furthermore, the VCI task modulated the intrinsic brain activity of the right IFGtriang (0.01-0.08 Hz) and the left caudate nucleus (0.2-0.25 Hz). Importantly, an inhibitory effect (negative) may exist from the left SFG to the right IFGtriang in the on-VCI task state, in the frequency of 0.01-0.08 Hz, whereas this effect shifted to an excitatory effect (positive) in the subsequent post-task resting state. Taken together, the present findings provide experimental evidence for the existence of a common mechanism that governs the brain activity of many regions at resting state and whose neural activity may engage during the VCI manipulation task, which may facilitate an understanding of the neural substrate of visual creativity.

Association between resting-state brain network topological organization and creative ability: Evidence from a multiple linear regression model.

Previous studies have indicated a tight linkage between resting-state functional connectivity of the human brain and creative ability. This study aimed to further investigate the association between the topological organization of resting-state brain networks and creativity. Therefore, we acquired resting-state fMRI data from 22 high-creativity participants and 22 low-creativity participants (as determined by their Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking scores). We then constructed functional brain networks for each participant and assessed group differences in network topological properties before exploring the relationships between respective network topological properties and creative ability. We identified an optimized organization of intrinsic brain networks in both groups. However, compared with low-creativity participants, high-creativity participants exhibited increased global efficiency and substantially decreased path length, suggesting increased efficiency of information transmission across brain networks in creative individuals. Using a multiple linear regression model, we further demonstrated that regional functional integration properties (i.e., the betweenness centrality and global efficiency) of brain networks, particularly the default mode network (DMN) and sensorimotor network (SMN), significantly predicted the individual differences in creative ability. Furthermore, the associations between network regional properties and creative performance were creativity-level dependent, where the difference in the resource control component may be important in explaining individual difference in creative performance. These findings provide novel insights into the neural substrate of creativity and may facilitate objective identification of creative ability.

Exploring the Associations Between Intrinsic Brain Connectivity and Creative Ability Using Functional Connectivity Strength and Connectome Analysis.

The present study aimed to explore the association between resting-state functional connectivity and creativity ability. Toward this end, the figural Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking (TTCT) scores were collected from 180 participants. Based on the figural TTCT measures, we collected resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data for participants with two different levels of creativity ability (a high-creativity group [HG, n = 22] and a low-creativity group [LG, n = 20]). For the aspect of group difference, this study combined voxel-wise functional connectivity strength (FCS) and seed-based functional connectivity to identify brain regions with group-change functional connectivity. Furthermore, the connectome properties of the identified regions and their associations with creativity were investigated using the permutation test, discriminative analysis, and brain-behavior correlation analysis. The results indicated that there were 4 regions with group differences in FCS, and these regions were linked to 30 other regions, demonstrating different functional connectivity between the groups. Together, these regions form a creativity-related network, and we observed higher network efficiency in the HG compared with the LG. The regions involved in the creativity network were widely distributed across the modality-specific/supramodality cerebral cortex, subcortex, and cerebellum. Notably, properties of regions in the supramodality networks (i.e., the default mode network and attention network) carried creativity-level discriminative information and were significantly correlated with the creativity performance. Together, these findings demonstrate a link between intrinsic brain connectivity and creative ability, which should provide new insights into the neural basis of creativity.

High transition frequencies of dynamic functional connectivity states in the creative brain.

Creativity is thought to require the flexible reconfiguration of multiple brain regions that interact in transient and complex communication patterns. In contrast to prior emphases on searching for specific regions or networks associated with creative performance, we focused on exploring the association between the reconfiguration of dynamic functional connectivity states and creative ability. We hypothesized that a high frequency of dynamic functional connectivity state transitions will be associated with creative ability. To test this hypothesis, we recruited a high-creative group (HCG) and a low-creative group (LCG) of participants and collected resting-state fMRI (R-fMRI) data and Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking (TTCT) scores from each participant. By combining an independent component analysis with a dynamic network analysis approach, we discovered the HCG had more frequent transitions between dynamic functional connectivity (dFC) states than the LCG. Moreover, a confirmatory analysis using multiplication of temporal derivatives also indicated that there were more frequent dFC state transitions in the HCG. Taken together, these results provided empirical evidence for a linkage between the flexible reconfiguration of dynamic functional connectivity states and creative ability. These findings have the potential to provide new insights into the neural basis of creativity.

Mental rotation task specifically modulates functional connectivity strength of intrinsic brain activity in low frequency domains: A maximum uncertainty linear discriminant analysis.

Neuroimaging studies have highlighted that intrinsic brain activity is modified to implement task demands. However, the relation between mental rotation and intrinsic brain activity remains unclear. To answer this question, we collected functional MRI (fMRI) data from 30 healthy participants in two mental rotation task periods (1st-task state, 2nd-task state) and two rest periods before (pre-task resting state) and after the task (post-task resting state) respectively. By combining the spatial independent component analysis (ICA) and voxel-wise functional connectivity strength (FCS), we identified FCS maps of 10 brain resting state networks (RSNs) within six different bands (i.e., 0-0.05, 0.05-0.1, 0.1-0.15, 0.15-0.2, 0.2-0.25, and 0.01-0.08Hz) corresponding to the four states for each subject. The maximum uncertainty linear discriminant analysis (MLDA) method showed that the FCS within the low frequency bandwidth of 0.05-0.1Hz could effectively classify the mental rotation task state from pre-/post-task resting states but failed to discriminate the pre- and post-task resting states. Discriminative FCSs were observed in the cognitive executive-control network (central executive and attention) and the imagery-based internal mental manipulation network (default mode, primary sensorimotor, and primary visual). Imagery manipulation is a stable mental element of mental rotation, and the involvement of executive control is dependent on the degree of task familiarity. Together, the present study provides evidence that mental rotation task specifically modifies intrinsic brain activity to complement cognitive demands, which provides further insight into the neural basis of mental rotation manipulation.