Exploring the Neural Basis of Creativity: EEG Analysis of Power Spectrum and Functional Connectivity During Creative Tasks in school-aged Children

Creativity is a fundamental aspect of human cognition, particularly during childhood, as it plays a key role in supporting cognitive, emotional, and social development. Exploring creativity through the use of electroencephalography (EEG) provides valuable insights into the brain mechanisms underlying this vital cognitive process.This study analyzed the power spectrum characteristics and functional connectivity of interhemispheric and intrahemispheric brain activity during creative tasks in 15 Argentine children aged 9 to 12, using a 14-channel EEG system. The Torrance test of creative thinking (TTCT) was used, incorporating one figural and one verbal task. EEG metrics included relative power spectral density (rPSD) across Delta, Theta, Alpha, Beta, and Gamma bands, as well as functional connectivity assessed through coherence analysis across the [1–50] Hz spectrum.The results revealed significant increases in rPSD across all frequency bands during creative tasks compared to rest, with no significant differences between figural and verbal tasks. Coherence analysis indicated enhanced intrahemispheric synchronization, particularly in frontotemporal and temporo-occipital regions, alongside reduced interhemispheric frontal coherence. These findings suggest that creativity in children involves a dynamic reorganization of brain activity, characterized by oscillatory activation and region-specific connectivity changes. Furthermore, the study highlights a common neural basis for divergent thinking tasks, contributing to a deeper understanding of the brain mechanisms supporting creativity during childhood development.