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Neurological Research and Practice

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Open Access 01-12-2024 | Research article

Creative thinking and cognitive estimation in Parkinson’s disease

Authors: Marcus Heldmann, Celia Rinckens, Norbert Brüggemann, Mohamed Al-Khaled, Thomas F. Münte

Published in: Neurological Research and Practice | Issue 1/2024

Abstract

Background

Patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) have been reported to exhibit unusual bouts of creativity (e.g., painting, writing), in particular in the context of treatment with dopaminergic agents. Here we investigated divergent and convergent thinking thought to underlie creativity. In addition we assessed cognitive estimation.

Method

Twenty PD patients and 20 matched healthy control participants were subjected to the Guilford Alternate Uses task (divergent thinking), the remote associates task (convergent thinking) and two tests of cognitive estimation.

Results

No group differences were found for the convergent thinking task, while the Guilford Alternate Uses task revealed a decreased number of correct responses and a reduced originality for PD patients. Originality in PD was correlated to total daily dose of dopaminergic medication. Moreover, both tasks of cognitive estimation showed an impairment in PD.

Conclusion

Only minor effects were found for psychometric indices of subprocesses of creative thinking, while estimation, relying on executive functioning, is impaired in PD. We suggest to take a product oriented view of creativity in further research on altered creative processes in PD.

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Title: Creative thinking and cognitive estimation in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Marcus Heldmann
Celia Rinckens
Norbert Brüggemann
Mohamed Al-Khaled
Thomas F. Münte
Publication date: 01-12-2024
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Neurological Research and Practice / Issue 1/2024
Electronic ISSN: 2524-3489
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s42466-023-00304-1

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Creative thinking and cognitive estimation in Parkinson’s disease

Abstract

Background

Method

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Method

Results

Conclusion

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