Cliques and cavities in the human connectome

• DOI: 10.1007/s10827-017-0672-6
• Publication Date: 2017-11-16T00:24:48Z
• Authors: Ann E. Sizemore; Chad Giusti; Ari Kahn; Jean M. Vettel; Richard F. Betzel; Danielle S. Bassett
• Keywords: Theory of computation

Encoding brain regions and their connections as a network of nodes edges captures many the possible paths along which information can be transmitted humans process perform complex behaviors. Because cognitive processes involve large, distributed networks areas, principled examinations multi-node routes within larger connection patterns offer fundamental insights into complexities function. Here, we investigate both densely connected groups that could local computations well interactions would allow for parallel processing. Finding such structures necessitates move from considering exclusively pairwise to capturing higher order relations, concepts naturally expressed in language algebraic topology. These tools used study mesoscale arise arrangement substructures called cliques otherwise sparsely networks. We detect (all-to-all sets regions) average structural connectomes 8 healthy adults scanned triplicate discover presence more large than expected null constructed via wiring minimization, providing architecture through rapid, then locate topological cavities different dimensions, around may flow either diverging or converging patterns. exist consistently across subjects, differ those observed model networks, – importantly link early late evolutionary origin long loops, underscoring unique role controlling results first demonstration techniques topology novel perspective on connectomics, highlighting loop-like crucial features human brain's architecture.