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URL: http://www.semel.ucla.edu/creativity/

Proper Citation: Tennenbaum Center for the Biology of Creativity (RRID:SCR_000668)

Description: The purpose of this center is to study the molecular, cellular, systems and cognitive mechanisms that result in cognitive enhancements and explain unusual levels of performance in gifted individuals, including extraordinary creativity. Additionally, by understating the mechanisms responsible for enhancements in performance we may be better suited to intervene and reverse disease states that result in cognitive deficits. One of the key topics addressed by the Center is the biological basis of cognitive enhancements, a topic that can be studied in human subjects and animal models. In the past much of the focus in the brain sciences has been on the study of brain mechanisms that degrade cognitive performance (for example, on mutations or other lesions that cause cognitive deficits). The Tennenbaum Center for the Biology of Creativity at UCLA enables an interdisciplinary team of leading scientists to advance knowledge about the biological bases of creativity. Starting with a pilot project program, a series of investigations was launched, spanning disciplines from basic molecular biology to cognitive neuroscience. Because the concept of creativity is multifaceted, initial efforts targeted refinement of the component processes necessary to generate novel, useful cognitive products. The identified core cognitive processes: 1.) Novelty Generation the ability to flexibly and adaptively generate products that are unique; 2.) Working Memory and Declarative Memory the ability to maintain, and then use relevant information to guide goal-directed performance, along with the capacity to store and retrieve this information; and 3.) Response Inhibition the ability to suppress habitual plans and substitute alternate actions in line with changing problem-solving demands. To study the basic mechanisms underlying these complex brain functions we use translational strategies. Starting from foundational studies in basic neuroscience, we forged an interdisciplinary strategy that permits the most advanced techniques for genetic manipulation and basic neurobiological research to be applied in close collaboration with human studies that converge on the same core cognitive processes. Our integrated research program aims to reveal the genetic architecture and fundamental brain mechanisms underlying creative cognition. The work holds enormous promise for both enhancing healthy cognitive performance and designing new treatments for diverse cognitive disorders. Sponsors: The Tennenbaum Center for the Biology of Creativity was inspired by the vision and generosity of Michael Tennenbaum.

Synonyms: UCLA CBC

Resource Type: organization portal, data or information resource, portal

Keywords: generation, genetic, animal, biological, brain, brain science, cellular, cognitive, cognitive deficit, cognitive disorder, cognitive neuroscience, creativity, declarative memory, disease, habitual, human, inhibition, mechanism, memory, model, molecular, molecular biology, neurobiological, performance, response, working memory