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Graber A, Rizzo M. Tourette Syndrome: A Catalyst for Operationalizing Neurodiversity. Neurology 2024; 103:e209572. [PMID: 38870461 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000209572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Our goal, taking Tourette syndrome as a case example, is to introduce neurologists to, and motivate discussion on, the neurodiversity paradigm. This philosophical construct considers some neurologic conditions in diversity, instead of simply disease. Moving from philosophical idea to empirical construct draws from patient and family perspectives on (1) quality of life and discrimination, (2) disability pride, and (3) unique profiles of different patient cohorts. Listening to patient voices, attending to family, advocacy group, and societal views on neurologic disorders can strengthen precision neurology practice. Dialogs on neurodiversity, including antitherapy sentiments, offer to enhance neurologic care, patient agency, and autonomy; encourage respectful communications with patients who challenge the idea their condition is pathologic; and to set the stage for future empirical investigations and practice guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abraham Graber
- From the Department of Biomedical Education and Anatomy (A.G.); Nisonger Center Affiliate Faculty (A.G.), The Ohio State University; and Department of Neurological Sciences (M.R.), University of Nebraska Medical Center
| | - Matthew Rizzo
- From the Department of Biomedical Education and Anatomy (A.G.); Nisonger Center Affiliate Faculty (A.G.), The Ohio State University; and Department of Neurological Sciences (M.R.), University of Nebraska Medical Center
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Cristini C, Colautti L, Vedova AD, Antonietti A. Creativity and humor in the elderly: Shared mechanisms and common functions to promote well-being. Neurosci Lett 2024; 828:137762. [PMID: 38574850 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2024.137762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
In the paper the possible links between creative thinking and humor are sketched and their role in promoting well-being in the elderly is taken into account. The specific features of creative thinking in older people and its developmental trend in aging are outlined. The changes in humor which occur during aging are considered as well. The connections between creative thinking and humor are analysed, by highlighting the cognitive mechanisms which are shared and the alleged common neural underpinnings. The functions which creativity and humor can play to promote well-being in late adulthood are discussed. These functions refer to the way older people can interpret their own experience, interact and communicate with others, and face daily problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Cristini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Laura Colautti
- Department of Psychology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Largo Gemelli 1, 20123 Milan, Italy
| | - Annamaria Della Vedova
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Alessandro Antonietti
- Department of Psychology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Largo Gemelli 1, 20123 Milan, Italy.
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Colautti L, Borsa VM, Fusi G, Crepaldi M, Palmiero M, Garau F, Bonfiglio NS, Giannì J, Rusconi ML, Penna MP, Rozzini L, Antonietti A. The Role of Cognition in Divergent Thinking: Implications for Successful Aging. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1489. [PMID: 37891856 PMCID: PMC10605231 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13101489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Promoting active and successful aging has become crucial to improve quality of life in later adulthood and reduce the impact of cognitive decline. Increasing evidence suggested that the ability to think creatively (e.g., via divergent thinking), similar to cognitive reserve, could represent a beneficial factor against the negative effects of aging. However, there is still little evidence investigating the relationships between divergent thinking, cognitive functions, and cognitive reserve in late adulthood. The present study explored these relationships in a sample of 98 individuals ranging from 61 to 88 years old (mean age: 72.44 ± 6.35). Results showed that visual, but not verbal, divergent thinking was affected by aging. Interestingly, visual divergent thinking performance was predicted by both the cognitive component of crystallized intelligence and cognitive reserve. Only the crystallized component of intelligence was found to mediate the aging effect on visual divergent thinking performance. These results suggest that in later adulthood a potential shift strategy to prior knowledge and semantic components over executive and control components of cognition could underlie a preserved ability to think divergently and, plausibly, creatively. Limitations of the study and implications for successful aging are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Colautti
- Department of Psychology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, 20123 Milan, Italy;
| | - Virginia Maria Borsa
- Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, 24129 Bergamo, Italy; (V.M.B.); (G.F.); (M.C.); (J.G.); (M.L.R.)
| | - Giulia Fusi
- Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, 24129 Bergamo, Italy; (V.M.B.); (G.F.); (M.C.); (J.G.); (M.L.R.)
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, 25136 Brescia, Italy;
| | - Maura Crepaldi
- Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, 24129 Bergamo, Italy; (V.M.B.); (G.F.); (M.C.); (J.G.); (M.L.R.)
| | | | - Francesca Garau
- Department of Pedagogy, Psychology, Philosophy, University of Cagliari, 09123 Cagliari, Italy; (F.G.); (M.P.P.)
| | | | - Jessica Giannì
- Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, 24129 Bergamo, Italy; (V.M.B.); (G.F.); (M.C.); (J.G.); (M.L.R.)
| | - Maria Luisa Rusconi
- Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, 24129 Bergamo, Italy; (V.M.B.); (G.F.); (M.C.); (J.G.); (M.L.R.)
| | - Maria Pietronilla Penna
- Department of Pedagogy, Psychology, Philosophy, University of Cagliari, 09123 Cagliari, Italy; (F.G.); (M.P.P.)
| | - Luca Rozzini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, 25136 Brescia, Italy;
| | - Alessandro Antonietti
- Department of Psychology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, 20123 Milan, Italy;
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Colautti L, Magenes S, Rago S, Camerin S, Zanaboni Dina C, Antonietti A, Cancer A. Creative thinking in Tourette's syndrome: A comparative study of patients and healthy controls. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol 2023; 45:482-497. [PMID: 37667639 DOI: 10.1080/13803395.2023.2251644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Tourette's syndrome is a neurological disorder characterized by tics, that may interfere with patients' everyday life. Research suggested that creative thinking (namely, divergent and convergent thinking) could help patients cope with their symptoms, and therefore it can be a resource in non-pharmacological interventions. The present study aimed at investigating (i) possible differences in creative thinking between Tourette's syndrome patients and healthy controls and (ii) whether creative thinking can support patients in coping with their symptomatology. METHODS A group of 25 Tourette's syndrome patients and 25 matched healthy controls underwent an assessment of creative thinking, fluid intelligence, and depressive symptoms. Creative thinking was compared between patients and healthy controls after controlling for fluid intelligence and depressive symptoms. Moreover, the moderating role of divergent and convergent thinking on the subjective impact of tics was tested in a group of 30 patients. RESULTS Tourette's syndrome patients outperformed healthy controls in convergent thinking. Moreover, divergent thinking was found as a significant moderator of the relationship between tics severity and the subjective impact in Tourette's syndrome patients. CONCLUSIONS Findings highlighted the specific impact of convergent and divergent thinking on Tourette's syndrome patients. Considering the supportive role of creative thinking in Tourette's syndrome, our results confirm that higher levels of divergent thinking may reduce the tic-related discomfort. These findings suggest the potential positive implications of creative thinking in non-pharmacological interventions for Tourette's syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Colautti
- Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Magenes
- Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy
- Fraternità e Amicizia Società Cooperativa Sociale ONLUS, Milan, Italy
| | - Sabrina Rago
- Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefania Camerin
- Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy
| | - Carlotta Zanaboni Dina
- Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy
- Tourette Syndrome Centre, IRCCS, San Raffaele,Milan, Italy
| | | | - Alice Cancer
- Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy
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Cancer A, Iannello P, Salvi C, Antonietti A. Executive functioning and divergent thinking predict creative problem-solving in young adults and elderlies. PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH 2023; 87:388-396. [PMID: 35366100 PMCID: PMC9928931 DOI: 10.1007/s00426-022-01678-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The role of executive functioning in creative thinking is under debate. Some authors suggested that increased inhibitory control, a component of executive functioning, is detrimental to creative solutions, whereas others argued that executive functions are central to creative problem-solving, thus questioning Guilford's classical distinction between divergent and convergent thinking. Executive functions decline with age. In this study, we investigated the contributions of executive functioning and its age-related decline and divergent thinking to creative problem-solving. To this aim, we divided our sample of sixty healthy adults into two age groups of young adults (20-26 years) and elderly (60-70 years) and we assessed their creative problem-solving abilities (using the compound remote associate problems) as well as other potential cognitive predictors of creative problem-solving (i.e., impulsivity, divergent thinking, verbal working memory, and decision-making style). A linear regression model revealed that the ability to solve problems creatively is negatively predicted by older age and impulsivity, while positively predicted by divergent thinking and verbal working memory. These findings reveal a combined contribution of executive functions and divergent thinking to creative problem-solving, suggesting that both convergent and divergent processes should be considered in interventions to contrast age-related decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Cancer
- Department of Psychology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Milan, Italy.
| | - Paola Iannello
- Department of Psychology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Milan, Italy
| | - Carola Salvi
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
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