Art and creativity in Parkinson’s disease: the mysterious effects of dopamine

The article is devoted to the phenomenon of the emergence or enhancement of creative abilities during therapy in some patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). The article discusses the possible pathogenetic causes of this phenomenon, the connection with impulsive-compulsive disorders (ICD). All PD patients who are addicted to one type of creativity are characterized by increased motivation, forcing them to spend hours doing what they love, the time of which coincided with the start of dopaminergic therapy. There is a fine line between the emerging «passion» for art and CAVIAR, which is determined by the dose of Antiparkinsonian drugs, genetic characteristics, and personal characteristics. The issue of the emergence of creativity in the work of patients with PD remains controversial, and most studies indicate a deterioration in divergent thinking, which is a criterion for creativity. The results of the observation of artists suffering from PD showed changes in the style of their work against the background of the disease, the appearance of an emphasis on color, changing the brightness and spectrum of the color palette, moving to more abstract images. Among the factors that can influence creative activities, such as pre—existing skills or abilities in relation to a particular type of art, taking dopaminergic drugs, their dose, the preservation of cognitive functions, family support, and the social environment are discussed.