Specificity and robustness of long-distance connections in weighted, interareal connectomes.

ABSTRACT: Brain areas' functional repertoires are shaped by their incoming and outgoing structural connections. In empirically measured networks, most connections are short, reflecting spatial and energetic constraints. Nonetheless, a small number of connections span long distances, consistent with the notion that the functionality of these connections must outweigh their cost. While the precise function of long-distance connections is unknown, the leading hypothesis is that they act to reduce the topological distance between brain areas and increase the efficiency of interareal communication. However, this hypothesis implies a nonspecificity of long-distance connections that we contend is unlikely. Instead, we propose that long-distance connections serve to diversify brain areas' inputs and outputs

SUBMITTER: Betzel RF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6003515 | biostudies-literature | 2018 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature