Brain networks of the imaginative mind: Dynamic functional connectivity of default and cognitive control networks relates to openness to experience

Abstract

Imagination and creative cognition are often associated with the brain's default network (DN). Recent evidence has also linked cognitive control systems to performance on tasks involving imagination and creativity, with a growing number of studies reporting functional interactions between cognitive control and DN regions. We sought to extend the emerging literature on brain dynamics supporting imagination by examining individual differences in large-scale network connectivity in relation to Openness to Experience, a personality trait typified by imagination and creativity. To this end, we obtained personality and resting-state fMRI data from two large samples of participants recruited from the United States and China, and we examined contributions of Openness to temporal shifts in default and cognitive control network interactions using multivariate structural equation modeling and dynamic functional network connectivity analysis. In Study 1, we found that Openness was related to the proportion of scan time (i.e., "dwell time") that participants spent in a brain state characterized by positive correlations among the default, executive, salience, and dorsal attention networks. Study 2 replicated and extended the effect of Openness on dwell time in a correlated brain state comparable to the state found in Study 1, and further demonstrated the robustness of this effect in latent variable models including fluid intelligence and other major personality factors. The findings suggest that Openness to Experience is associated with increased functional connectivity between default and cognitive control systems, a connectivity profile that may account for the enhanced imaginative and creative abilities of people high in Openness to Experience.

Associations between personality and whole‐brain functional connectivity at rest: Evidence across the adult lifespan

“…For instance, others have found that openness predicted the global efficiency of a functional network comprised of DMN nodes, and, similar to our findings, this result remained significant after controlling for intelligence, age, sex, and other personality variables (Beaty et al, ). In addition, openness has been found to be positively associated with functional connectivity between DMN hubs and regions and networks associated with cognitive control (Adelstein et al, ; Beaty et al, ). Given the fact that people with higher openness/intellect tend to be imaginative, curious, innovative, and creative (Allen & DeYoung, ), we expected that the DMN would be a relevant substrate of this trait.…”

“…Regarding openness/intellect, is suggested that DMN play a relevant role given it implications on imagination, imagery, and creativity (Allen & DeYoung, ; Beaty et al, ). For instance, higher levels of openness/intellect were associated with higher FC between DMN and regions or networks associated with cognitive control (Adelstein et al, ; Beaty et al, ), and predicted global efficiency of a network comprised of DMN nodes (Beaty et al, ). In relation to conscientiousness, FPN and VAN have been considered good candidates for a neural substrate since they are relevant to reorienting attention away from distractions and toward stimuli important for goal pursuit (Allen & DeYoung, ).…”

On the nature of time-varying functional connectivity in resting fMRI

“…These parameters can then be probed for association with measures of inter-or intra-individual differences (e.g. (Beaty, et al 2018;Marusak, et al 2018;Vidaurre, et al 2017b)). State-based approaches can differ in whether they assume smooth transitions between states (Allen, et al 2014;Ou, et al 2015) or instantaneous reconfigurations Yaesoubi, et al 2018), their focus on a particular signal domain (e.g.…”

Comparison of EEG source reconstructed functional networks in healthy subjects elicited during visual oddball task

“…Neuroimaging techniques are widely used to estimate the brain cortical networks involved in the normal brain cognitive functions as well as in neurological diseases [1-6]. Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) can be adapted to estimate SC with higher capability [7-9].…”