biostudies-literatureUnknown27(9)Birari VSEuropean Innovation CouncilIsrael Science FoundationThe brain is overall bilaterally symmetrical, but also exhibits considerable asymmetry. While symmetry may endow neural networks with robustness and resilience, asymmetry may enable parallel information processing and functional specialization. How is this tradeoff between symmetrical and asymmetrical brain architecture balanced? To address this, we focused on the <i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i> connectome, comprising 99 classes of bilaterally symmetrical neuron pairs. We found symmetry in the number of synaptic partners between neuron class members, but pronounced asymmetry in the identity of these synapses. We applied graph theoretical metrics for evaluating Redundancy, the selective reinforcement of specific neural paths by multiple alternative synaptic connections, and Reachability, the iScience110713https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11388161biostudies-literatureAsymmetry in synaptic connectivity balances redundancy and reachability in the <i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i> connectome.PMC11388161Birari VSRabinowitch IfalseAsymmetry in synaptic connectivity balances redundancy and reachability in the <i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i> connectome.The brain is overall bilaterally symmetrical, but also exhibits considerable asymmetry. While symmetry may endow neural networks with robustness and resilience, asymmetry may enable parallel information processing and functional specialization. How is this tradeoff between symmetrical and asymmetrical brain architecture balanced? To address this, we focused on the <i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i> connectome, comprising 99 classes of bilaterally symmetrical neuron pairs. We found symmetry in the number of synaptic partners between neuron class members, but pronounced asymmetry in the identity of these synapses. We applied graph theoretical metrics for evaluating Redundancy, the selective reinforcement of specific neural paths by multiple alternative synaptic connections, and Reachability, the 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z2024 Sep2025-04-04T01:06:23.655Z2025-04-04T01:06:23.655ZS-EPMC113881613926280110.1016/j.isci.2024.110713