Communication in neuronal networks
Open accessAbstract
Brains perform with remarkable efficiency, are capable of prodigious computation, and are marvels of communication. We are beginning to understand some of the geometric, biophysical, and energy constraints that have governed the evolution of cortical networks. To operate efficiently within these constraints, nature has optimized the structure and function of cortical networks with design principles similar to those used in electronic networks. The brain also exploits the adaptability of biological systems to reconfigure in response to changing needs.
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Given the extremely high costs of building and maintaining nervous systems, neutral evolutionary processes are arguably less prevalent during nervous system evolution than for example in genome evolution.
“Given the extremely high costs of building and maintaining nervous systems [10–12], neutral evolutionary processes are arguably less prevalent during nervous system evolution than for example in genome evolution [13].”
From Origin and early evolution of neural circuits for the control of ciliary locomotion (2011) · cites this paper as [10]
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- Authors
- Laughlin, S. B., & Sejnowski, T. J.
- Affiliations
- Salk Institute for Biological Studies (US)
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EJ, UK.
- ORCID
- Laughlin, Simon B.
- Venue
- Science
- Published
- 2003-09-26
- Volume
- 301
- Issue
- 5641
- Pages
- 1870-1874
- ISSN
- 0036-8075 (ISSN-L)
- 1095-9203
- PMC
- PMC2930149
- OpenAlex
- W1673584506
- Cited by
- 950
- References
- 50
- Citations by year
- 2026: 38 · 2025: 63 · 2024: 43 · 2023: 44 · 2022: 48 · 2021: 50 · 2020: 46 · 2019: 57 · 2018: 37 · 2017: 48 · 2016: 36 · 2015: 34 · 2014: 46 · 2013: 44 · 2012: 43
- FWCI
- 2.98
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Locations
- Science (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
- PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
- Funders
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural dynamics and brain function
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Functional Brain Connectivity Studies
- Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Statistical and Nonlinear Physics › Complex Network Analysis Techniques
- Keywords
- neuronal networks, cortical networks, brain efficiency, energy constraints, network structure optimization, biophysical constraints, network reconfiguration, brain evolution, neural communication
- MeSH terms
- Action Potentials, Animals, Brain, Cell Communication, Biological Evolution, Humans, Nerve Net, Synaptic Transmission, Neuronal Plasticity, Neurons
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