Figural Creative Task Sculpts the Baseline Resting-State EEG in Older Adults (Pilot Study)
Creative engagement has a neuroprotective effect in later life. One of the key factors, which contribute to this inspiring effect, is cognitive stimulation via creative ideation. Underlying neuronal mechanism is task-induced neuroplasticity, which may manifests as use-dependent post-performance changes in the brain areas involved in the task. Two main types of creativity, figural and verbal, rely consequently on visual-spatial and semantic processes that show different trajectories of age-related change. In order to identify which type of creative task leaves more pronounced post-task traces in the resting-state electroencephalographic (EEG) activity in older adults, we recorded EEG in 29 elderly (64 ± 6 years) high-functioning subjects before, during and after performance of 30 verbal and 30 figural tasks. Current source density (CSD) estimates and subsequent statistical contracts using statistical non-parametrical mapping were calculated via LORETA. CSD increased from pre-task to post-task interval in delta-gamma rhythms, most prominent in parietal-occipital regions (regions of interest, ROIs). CSD increase was also induced during figural (not verbal) task performance. In comparison with figural task, topographically undifferentiated decrease of CSD was identified in post-task activity suggesting preservation of the pattern, originated during figural task, in the post-task EEG in a less pronounced form. Additionally, multiple positive correlations between EEG activity during figural task (and in post-task interval within ROIs) were found. The results indicate that figural creative task leaves more pronounced post task traces, than verbal task, suggesting that figural tasks are challenging to further examinations as cognitive training in older adults.