How neurons exploit fractal geometry to optimize their network connectivity

How neurons exploit fractal geometry to optimize their network connectivity

Abstract We investigate the degree to which neurons are fractal, the origin of this fractality, and its impact on functionality. By analyzing three-dimensional images of rat neurons, we show the way their dendrites fork and weave through space is unexpectedly important for generating fractal-like be...

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Autores principales: Julian H. Smith, Conor Rowland, B. Harland, S. Moslehi, R. D. Montgomery, K. Schobert, W. J. Watterson, J. Dalrymple-Alford, R. P. Taylor
Formato: article
Lenguaje:EN
Publicado: Nature Portfolio 2021
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Medicine
R
Science
Q
Acceso en línea:https://doaj.org/article/ef13628391824e05923b6a9f3407f324
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spelling oai:doaj.org-article:ef13628391824e05923b6a9f3407f3242021-12-02T14:16:57ZHow neurons exploit fractal geometry to optimize their network connectivity10.1038/s41598-021-81421-22045-2322https://doaj.org/article/ef13628391824e05923b6a9f3407f3242021-01-01T00:00:00Zhttps://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-81421-2https://doaj.org/toc/2045-2322Abstract We investigate the degree to which neurons are fractal, the origin of this fractality, and its impact on functionality. By analyzing three-dimensional images of rat neurons, we show the way their dendrites fork and weave through space is unexpectedly important for generating fractal-like behavior well-described by an ‘effective’ fractal dimension D. This discovery motivated us to create distorted neuron models by modifying the dendritic patterns, so generating neurons across wide ranges of D extending beyond their natural values. By charting the D-dependent variations in inter-neuron connectivity along with the associated costs, we propose that their D values reflect a network cooperation that optimizes these constraints. We discuss the implications for healthy and pathological neurons, and for connecting neurons to medical implants. Our automated approach also facilitates insights relating form and function, applicable to individual neurons and their networks, providing a crucial tool for addressing massive data collection projects (e.g. connectomes).Julian H. SmithConor RowlandB. HarlandS. MoslehiR. D. MontgomeryK. SchobertW. J. WattersonJ. Dalrymple-AlfordR. P. TaylorNature PortfolioarticleMedicineRScienceQENScientific Reports, Vol 11, Iss 1, Pp 1-13 (2021)
institution DOAJ
collection DOAJ
language EN
topic Medicine
R
Science
Q
spellingShingle Medicine
R
Science
Q
Julian H. Smith
Conor Rowland
B. Harland
S. Moslehi
R. D. Montgomery
K. Schobert
W. J. Watterson
J. Dalrymple-Alford
R. P. Taylor
How neurons exploit fractal geometry to optimize their network connectivity
description Abstract We investigate the degree to which neurons are fractal, the origin of this fractality, and its impact on functionality. By analyzing three-dimensional images of rat neurons, we show the way their dendrites fork and weave through space is unexpectedly important for generating fractal-like behavior well-described by an ‘effective’ fractal dimension D. This discovery motivated us to create distorted neuron models by modifying the dendritic patterns, so generating neurons across wide ranges of D extending beyond their natural values. By charting the D-dependent variations in inter-neuron connectivity along with the associated costs, we propose that their D values reflect a network cooperation that optimizes these constraints. We discuss the implications for healthy and pathological neurons, and for connecting neurons to medical implants. Our automated approach also facilitates insights relating form and function, applicable to individual neurons and their networks, providing a crucial tool for addressing massive data collection projects (e.g. connectomes).
format article
author Julian H. Smith
Conor Rowland
B. Harland
S. Moslehi
R. D. Montgomery
K. Schobert
W. J. Watterson
J. Dalrymple-Alford
R. P. Taylor
author_facet Julian H. Smith
Conor Rowland
B. Harland
S. Moslehi
R. D. Montgomery
K. Schobert
W. J. Watterson
J. Dalrymple-Alford
R. P. Taylor
author_sort Julian H. Smith
title How neurons exploit fractal geometry to optimize their network connectivity
title_short How neurons exploit fractal geometry to optimize their network connectivity
title_full How neurons exploit fractal geometry to optimize their network connectivity
title_fullStr How neurons exploit fractal geometry to optimize their network connectivity
title_full_unstemmed How neurons exploit fractal geometry to optimize their network connectivity
title_sort how neurons exploit fractal geometry to optimize their network connectivity
publisher Nature Portfolio
publishDate 2021
url https://doaj.org/article/ef13628391824e05923b6a9f3407f324
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