Harmony in the brain: A narrative review on the shared neural substrates of emotion regulation and creativity

The contribution of creativity in overall well-being through regulating emotions has sparkled research interest in employing artistic interventions recently for the improvement of mental health. Although the behavioural links between emotion regulation and creativity have been established, the neural networks reflecting these relations are yet to be investigated. In this mini review, we describe the neural underpinnings of all forms of creativity and of the emotion regulation strategies. Given the complexity of both of these constructs, we separate creativity in its various forms and report the regions and the neural networks involved. Similarly, we distinguish between the differential emotion regulation strategies and describe the relevant brain areas and networks. We then proceed to a critical exploration of common regions of interest and of neural pathways among these important functions. The studies included in this review point towards certain brain regions that are shared among creativity and affective control, such as the prefrontal cortex, the anterior cingulate cortex, the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, the medial temporal lobe and the inferior parietal lobule. The common neural networks of emotion regulation and creativity mainly focus on the default mode, the executive control and the salience networks. We then suggest a shared neural mechanism that may underlie emotion regulation and creativity, involving both control and affective processing. Drawing on the limitations of the studies reviewed, directions for future research are suggested that could significantly inform the field.