Neuropsychological insights into creativity in people with Parkinson's disease

Sara Zeggio; David Steyrl; Matthew Pelowski; Paul Krack; Sirwan K L Darweesh; Julia S Crone; Bastiaan R Bloem; Marjan J Meinders; Blanca T M Spee

doi:10.1038/s41531-025-01165-y

Neuropsychological insights into creativity in people with Parkinson's disease

Sara Zeggio
, David Steyrl
, Matthew Pelowski
, Paul Krack
, Sirwan K L Darweesh
, Julia S Crone
, Bastiaan R Bloem
, Marjan J Meinders
, Blanca T M Spee (Korresp. Autor*in)

Veröffentlichungen: Beitrag in Fachzeitschrift › Artikel › Peer Reviewed

Abstract

Creativity, the capacity and motivation to produce novel and personally meaningful ideas or behaviors, can be influenced by Parkinson's disease (PD). Non-motor neuropsychological symptoms, such as apathy and negative schizotypy have been linked to reduced creativity, while dopaminergic treatments are associated with increased creative engagement. Building on epidemiological findings investigating changes in creativity, we examined possible drivers of increased and decreased creative activity. In a cross-sectional study, 360 participants with PD completed a questionnaire assessing self-reported creativity changes and associated factors, including personality (Big-Five, Multidimensional-Schizotypy-Scale), lifestyle (e.g., creative lifestyle, free time), and clinical (HY-scores, MoCA, dopaminergic treatments). Using machine learning (gradient-boosted decision-trees), we explained 23% of variance in creativity changes. Dopamine agonists, extraversion, free time, and a creative lifestyle since symptom onset predicted increased creativity, while disorganized schizotypy predicted decreases. The findings provide new insights for future research on creativity as part of PD's neuropsychological spectrum and for person-centered treatment.

Originalsprache	Englisch
Aufsatznummer	324
Fachzeitschrift	npj Parkinson's Disease
Jahrgang	11
Ausgabenummer	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1038/s41531-025-01165-y
Publikationsstatus	Veröffentlicht - 19 Nov. 2025

Fördermittel

Prof. Bloem serves as the co-Editor in Chief for the Journal of PD, serves on the editorial board of Practical Neurology and Digital Biomarkers, has received fees from serving on the scientific advisory board for the Critical Path Institute, Gyenno Science, MedRhythms, UCB, Kyowa Kirin and Zambon (paid to the Institute), has received fees for speaking at conferences from AbbVie, Bial, Biogen, GE Healthcare, Oruen, Roche, UCB and Zambon (paid to the Institute), and has received research support from Biogen, Cure Parkinson’s, Davis Phinney Foundation, Edmond J. Safra Foundation, Fred Foundation, Gatsby Foundation, Hersenstichting Nederland, Horizon 2020, IRLAB Therapeutics, Maag Lever Darm Stichting, Michael J Fox Foundation, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Economic Affairs & Climate Policy, Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport, Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (ZonMw), Not Impossible, Parkinson Vereniging, Parkinson’s Foundation, Parkinson’s UK, Stichting Alkemade-Keuls, Stichting Parkinson NL, Stichting Woelse Waard, Topsector Life Sciences and Health, UCB, Verily Life Sciences, Roche and Zambon. Prof. Bloem does not hold any stocks or stock options with any companies that are connected to PD or to any of his clinical or research activities. BTM.S. is funded as postdoc by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF – Der Wissenschaftsfonds), #ConnectingMinds under grant agreement number CM 1100-B with the short title: Unlocking the Muse. All other authors declare no conflict of interest. The study was conducted during a scholarship to BTM.S., supported by the Österreichischer Austauschdienst (OeAD), Mariette Blau Scholarship. This research was funded in part by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) #ConnectingMinds under grant agreement number CM 1100-B with the short title: Unlocking the Muse, available via https://www.fwf.ac.at/en/discover/research-radar. The study funders and sponsors were not involved in the study design, the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data, in the writing of the report, or in the decision to submit the paper for publication.This research is supported by the Proactive and Integrated Management and Empowerment in PD (PRIME) project, which was funded by the Gatsby Foundation [GAT3676] as well as by the Ministry of Economic Affairs by means of the PPP Allowance made available by the Top Sector Life Sciences & Health to stimulate public-private partnerships. The Center of Expertise for Parkinson and Movement Disorders was supported by a center of excellence grant by the Parkinson Foundation.

ÖFOS 2012

302052 Neurologie
303007 Epidemiologie
501002 Angewandte Psychologie

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10.1038/s41531-025-01165-yLizenz: CC BY 4.0

https://phaidra.univie.ac.at/o:2193993Lizenz: CC BY 4.0

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abstract = "Creativity, the capacity and motivation to produce novel and personally meaningful ideas or behaviors, can be influenced by Parkinson's disease (PD). Non-motor neuropsychological symptoms, such as apathy and negative schizotypy have been linked to reduced creativity, while dopaminergic treatments are associated with increased creative engagement. Building on epidemiological findings investigating changes in creativity, we examined possible drivers of increased and decreased creative activity. In a cross-sectional study, 360 participants with PD completed a questionnaire assessing self-reported creativity changes and associated factors, including personality (Big-Five, Multidimensional-Schizotypy-Scale), lifestyle (e.g., creative lifestyle, free time), and clinical (HY-scores, MoCA, dopaminergic treatments). Using machine learning (gradient-boosted decision-trees), we explained 23\% of variance in creativity changes. Dopamine agonists, extraversion, free time, and a creative lifestyle since symptom onset predicted increased creativity, while disorganized schizotypy predicted decreases. The findings provide new insights for future research on creativity as part of PD's neuropsychological spectrum and for person-centered treatment.",

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Neuropsychological insights into creativity in people with Parkinson's disease

Abstract

Fördermittel

ÖFOS 2012

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