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Thesis
Using transcranial alternating current stimulation with concurrent EEG to examine the role of alpha and gamma band oscillations in creative thinking
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
Apr 2025
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00010903
Abstract
Creative cognition involves the orchestration of various cognitive processes that support the generation of novel ideas or solutions, often characterized by an interplay between idea generation and evaluation. Neural dynamics underlying creative thinking have been reliably associated with alpha and gamma band oscillations; alpha synchronization is commonly linked to creative ideation, whereas gamma synchronization is associated with idea evaluation. Previous research suggests that non-invasive brain stimulation can modulate neuronal dynamics related to creative cognition, yet few studies have directly tested this approach. This study aimed to address this gap by using transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) together with electroencephalography (EEG) over frontal regions to induce targeted oscillations during creative thinking. Twenty-nine healthy adult native English speakers participated in a within-subjects, multi-session study performing a creative ideation task under alpha (10 Hz), gamma (40 Hz), or sham stimulation. Stimulation was applied bilaterally over F3 and F4 electrodes following the 10/20 EEG system. Each session included pre- and post-stimulation EEG measures and participants completed a version of the Uncommon Uses Task (UUT), generating creative uses for 60 objects per session. Responses were scored for originality, appropriateness, and fluency by both human raters and AI. Results revealed that originality scores were significantly higher in the 10 Hz alpha stimulation condition, whereas similar but weaker effect were observed for the 40 Hz gamma condition. Performance on a negative control arithmetic task remained unchanged, ruling out general cognitive enhancement effects. EEG analyses confirmed increased alpha power in frontal regions in the post-stimulation alpha band tACS condition compared to sham and pre-stimulation, demonstrating the influence of tACS on oscillatory dynamics. These findings provide evidence for a causal relationship between alpha oscillations and ideation processes, extending previous literature and advancing our understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying creativity.
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Details
- Title
- Using transcranial alternating current stimulation with concurrent EEG to examine the role of alpha and gamma band oscillations in creative thinking
- Creators
- Necla Ece Yilmaz
- Contributors
- Evangelia G. Chrysikou (Advisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- 26 pages
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences (Psychology); College of Arts and Sciences; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 991022043394204721