Abstract
Creativity, art and artistic creation in music, dance and visual arts are brain activities specific to humans. Their genetic background remained unexplored for years, but many recent studies have uncovered significant associations with cognition-related genes and loci. These studies are summarized in the present article. Creativity is a trait with heavy genetic influences, which are also associated with mental disorders and altruism. Associated genes include dopaminergic, serotoninergic and other genes (a1-antitrypsin, neuregulin, Brain-derived neurotrophic factor). Music is another complex phenotype with important genetic background. Studies in musicians and their families have highlighted the contribution of loci (e.g., 4q22) and specific genes (vasopressin receptor 1α and serotonin transporter). The latter two are also associated with dancing. Although few studies have investigated visual arts, they appear to be influenced by genetic differences, which could explain the increased prevalence of synesthesia in artists and individuals with autism. Lastly, although genes play an important role in creativity and art, epigenetics and the environment should not be overlooked. The genetic exploration of artistic creativity may provide useful knowledge on cognition, behavior and brain function. It may also enable targeted and personalized art therapy in health and disease.
Highlights
Creativity and artistic creation are inherent components of human nature and, human behavior
This universal phenomenon of art and artistic creativity intrigued philosophical thinking from antiquity, with philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle initiating a quest for the meaning of art and esthetics [3]
The twin study is a key methodology in behavioral genetics: it compares the similarity of different traits between monozygotic with dizygotic twins to reveal the importance of environmental and genetic influences
Summary
Creativity and artistic creation are inherent components of human nature and, human behavior. Art as a human creation is as old as 40,000 BC [1] and evolved in line with human genetic, social and cultural co-evolution [2], with visual art masterpieces occupying museums and musical or dance performances filling theaters and stages worldwide This universal phenomenon of art and artistic creativity intrigued philosophical thinking from antiquity, with philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle initiating a quest for the meaning of art and esthetics [3]. Functional neuroimaging, initially using electroencephalography, Positron Emission Tomography, magnetoencephalography and, more recently, functional Magnetic Resonance-Imaging (fMRI), can identify brain regions activated during cognitive activity or behavior These techniques, along with advanced, large-scale genetic and genomic analytical methods such as Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS), have paved the way to unique discoveries in neurology, psychiatry and cognitive neuroscience. We summarize relevant studies examining how genetics underlie brain functions involved in the creation and perception of art
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