Can Plasticity Transform Functions in Neurodegeneration in Children as Well as Adults? An Observational Study

INTRODUCTION: Creativity is a physiological need based biological function very essential for survival. However, generally in disorders of progressive cognitive dysfunction creative skills are lost. However there are situations where these potentials are temporarily enhanced. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We did an observational study of children and adults, 5 adults and 2 childrens, who showed extraordinary creativity evaluated based on evidence shown by patient, peers and re produced in test situation. DISCUSSION: Our observational study reveals spontaneous interest in new and useful creative activity in our patients with various disorders causing progressive cognitive dysfunction. This observation reveals creative gain of function does take place in the face of progressive cognitive dysfunction in the setting of several diseases and it serves as a treatment option in behaviour management. Whether it is due to disinhibition of creative areas in the brain or facilitated function in regenerating data linking circuits needs further study. CONCLUSION: Set goals which are survival instinct based activities are probably removed by neurodegeneration and thereby the innate creativity gets disinhibited and expressed in wonderful forms of creativity. Whether special creative circuits in the brain, which causes this extraordinary creativity also needs to be studied. These creative skills in some of our patients served as effective pharmaco sparing agents during periods of aggression and agitation by engaging them in those activities, utility of which can be considered as a therapeutic option.