Hallucinations as a disorder of perceptual inference

Hallucinations as a disorder of perceptual inference

The relationship between creativity and schizophrenia has been a subject of neuroscience research. Studies suggest that both share a heightened tendency to identify unusual patterns, a trait linked to dopamine. Research indicates that highly creative individuals exhibit neurobiological similarities with those suffering from schizophrenia, particularly in the density of D2 dopamine receptors in the thalamus. Additionally, schizophrenia’s positive symptoms, such as hallucinations and delusions, can be understood through a Bayesian model of altered perception, where the inability to update beliefs based on new evidence plays a key role. However, this model does not fully explain the disorder’s negative symptoms or why positive symptoms typically emerge in early adulthood. Continue reading Hallucinations as a disorder of perceptual inference

Three short divulgation essays – 2 The neuroscience of creativity

Three short divulgation essays – 2 The neuroscience of creativity

Creativity is a complex process involving the discovery of common patterns between previously unrelated concepts. From a neuroscientific perspective, creativity is linked to the activity of various brain networks, dopamine, and divergent thinking. Neuroimaging studies have shown that there is no single “creative hemisphere”; rather, creativity emerges from the interaction of multiple brain areas. Additionally, there is a connection between creativity and mental disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, due to the way the brain processes information and reward. Continue reading Three short divulgation essays – 2 The neuroscience of creativity