Gene tied to creativity and mental illness

There have been numerous studies in the past century, examining the link between mania and creativity. Nancy C. Andreasen in 1987 at the University of Iowa Workshops examined 30 writers and found that 80 percent of them had experienced at least one episode of depression, hypomania, or mania.

A latest study conducted by Szabolcs Keri, researcher at Semmelweis University in Budapest, Hungary, has discovered what could be a genetic link between the two.

The findings could help to explain why mutations that increase a person's risk of developing mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and bipolar syndrome have been preserved, even preferred, during human evolution.

The study involved Neuregulin-1
Kéri examined a gene involved in brain development called neuregulin 1, which is linked to schizophrenia.

Moreover, a single DNA letter mutation that affects how much of the neuregulin 1 protein is made in the brain has been linked to psychosis, poor memory and sensitivity to criticism.

In order to find out how these variations affect creativity, the researchers genotyped 200 adults who responded to adverts seeking creative and accomplished volunteers.

He also gave the volunteers two tests of creative thinking, and devised an objective score of their creative achievements, such as filing a patent or writing a book.

It was found that people with two copies of the neuregulin 1 mutation - about 12 percent of the study participants - tended to score notably higher on these measures of creativity, compared with other volunteers with one or no copy of the mutation.

Besides, people with one copy were also found to be more creative, on average, than volunteers without the mutation.

Keri said that the mutation explained differences between 3 and 8 percent in creativity.

How does this affect creativity ?

While the mutation's connection to mental illness could not entirely explain its link to creativity, Keri said speculated that the mutation dampens a brain region that reins in mood and behavior, called the prefrontal cortex.

This change could unleash creative potential in some people and psychotic delusions in others.

Keri says that he hopes the link will show people with mild forms of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, and the rest of the world, that people with mental illness can be valuable, contributing members of society.

Schizophrenia and Bipolar Syndrome
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by impairments in the perception or expression of reality and by significant social or occupational dysfunction.

A person experiencing schizophrenia is typically characterized as demonstrating disorganized thought and language, and as experiencing delusions or hallucinations, in particular auditory hallucinations.

Bipolar syndrome is characterized by recurrent episodes of mania and (more often) depression. The condition has a high rate of recurrence and if untreated, has a risk of death by suicide.