Links Between Painting and Neurology: The Example of Dementia

Am J Alzheimers Dis Other Demen. 2019 Jun;34(4):217-222. doi: 10.1177/1533317519826293. Epub 2019 Jan 30.

Abstract

Art is a system of human communication arising from symbolic cognition, conveying ideas, experiences, and feelings. The goal of this review is to describe the link between painting and dementia. Individuals with neurodegenerative diseases inevitably experience cognitive dysfunction that has the potential to limit and impair the artist's ability to realize their creative and expressive intentions through painting. The strategy to advance our understanding of the neural bases for art is to map locations and nature of neural damage to changes onto artistic production.

Keywords: art; creativity; dementia; painting; visual art.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Art*
  • Cognition
  • Creativity*
  • Dementia / classification*
  • Dementia / psychology*
  • Emotions
  • Humans
  • Neurology*