Does the brain behave like a (complex) network? I. Dynamics

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Papo, D., Buldú, J. M.
Format: Preprint
Published: 2024
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author Papo, D.
Buldú, J. M.
author_facet Papo, D.
Buldú, J. M.
contents Graph theory is now becoming a standard tool in system-level neuroscience. However, endowing observed brain anatomy and dynamics with a complex network structure does not entail that the brain actually works as a network. Asking whether the brain behaves as a network means asking whether network properties count. From the viewpoint of neurophysiology and, possibly, of brain physics, the most substantial issues a network structure may be instrumental in addressing relate to the influence of network properties on brain dynamics and to whether these properties ultimately explain some aspects of brain function. Here, we address the dynamical implications of complex network, examining which aspects and scales of brain activity may be understood to genuinely behave as a network. To do so, we first define the meaning of networkness, and analyse some of its implications. We then examine ways in which brain anatomy and dynamics can be endowed with a network structure and discuss possible ways in which network structure may be shown to represent a genuine organisational principle of brain activity, rather than just a convenient description of its anatomy and dynamics.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2412_15711
institution arXiv
publishDate 2024
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Does the brain behave like a (complex) network? I. Dynamics
Papo, D.
Buldú, J. M.
Neurons and Cognition
Disordered Systems and Neural Networks
Adaptation and Self-Organizing Systems
Graph theory is now becoming a standard tool in system-level neuroscience. However, endowing observed brain anatomy and dynamics with a complex network structure does not entail that the brain actually works as a network. Asking whether the brain behaves as a network means asking whether network properties count. From the viewpoint of neurophysiology and, possibly, of brain physics, the most substantial issues a network structure may be instrumental in addressing relate to the influence of network properties on brain dynamics and to whether these properties ultimately explain some aspects of brain function. Here, we address the dynamical implications of complex network, examining which aspects and scales of brain activity may be understood to genuinely behave as a network. To do so, we first define the meaning of networkness, and analyse some of its implications. We then examine ways in which brain anatomy and dynamics can be endowed with a network structure and discuss possible ways in which network structure may be shown to represent a genuine organisational principle of brain activity, rather than just a convenient description of its anatomy and dynamics.
title Does the brain behave like a (complex) network? I. Dynamics
topic Neurons and Cognition
Disordered Systems and Neural Networks
Adaptation and Self-Organizing Systems
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2412.15711