Recent research using a technique called Transcranial magnetic stimulation
(TMS)[1] to (temporarilly) diable parts of the left hemisphere of the brain
has revealed that non-autistic subjects can display savant abilities.

The theory is that in autism there is damage to the left hemisphere, leding to
issues of socialisation etc. This results in a right side dominance.

The analogy is of two people speaking at once, if one speaks quieter or not at
all then the other is clearer and more effective.

The experiments done, primarilly in Sydney Australia[2], show that
non-autistic subjects after TMS performed on their left hemisphere can display
savant skills such as seen in 'Rain Man' like rapid counting and more
photo-realistic drawing[2].




[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transcranial_...tic_stimulation
[2] http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/1932709.stm

This is actually a large topic and covers much more than this article mentions. Brain stimulation can even stimulate creativity and artistic ability, according to some experiments. The stimulation can be with magnetic fields or even with electricity. I should repost some of the articles I've posted elsewhere.

Is there a reason to expect that there is no part of the brain which, if stimulated, would stimulate creativity and artistic ability? If you assume that this is not the case, then it requires that creativity and artistic ability reside in a non-material soul, right?

There is a reason to expect it to enhance artistic ability. Researchers have experimented by having the subject draw a picture before undergoing TMS and after, the results are quite impressive.

There are also cases in which an imbalance is created in the brain after an injury. The result is that the creative aspects of the brain can take dominance while certain functions such as oral communication and logical skills are almost dimished.

I believe there is a sculptor in Mexico who experienced this phenomenon, while he had never been artistic before, he was able to sculpt highly realistic sculptures. The downside is he now has a great deal of difficulty with speech.

With the TMS experiments this phenomenon did not occur, the creative portions of the brain were stimulated while the logical portions remained fully functioning. Essentially all TMS is doing is stimulating different parts of the brain through electromagnetic waves.