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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Main Authors: Julian H. Smith, Conor Rowland, B. Harland, S. Moslehi, R. D. Montgomery, K. Schobert, W. J. Watterson, J. Dalrymple-Alford, R. P. Taylor
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Publishing Group 2021-01-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-81421-2
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spelling doaj-ef13628391824e05923b6a9f3407f3242021-01-31T16:21:42ZengNature Publishing GroupScientific Reports2045-23222021-01-0111111310.1038/s41598-021-81421-2How neurons exploit fractal geometry to optimize their network connectivityJulian H. Smith0Conor Rowland1B. Harland2S. Moslehi3R. D. Montgomery4K. Schobert5W. J. Watterson6J. Dalrymple-Alford7R. P. Taylor8Physics Department, University of OregonPhysics Department, University of OregonSchool of Pharmacy, University of AucklandPhysics Department, University of OregonPhysics Department, University of OregonPhysics Department, University of OregonPhysics Department, University of OregonSchool of Psychology, Speech and Hearing, University of CanterburyPhysics Department, University of OregonAbstract 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).https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-81421-2
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Julian H. Smith
Conor Rowland
B. Harland
S. Moslehi
R. D. Montgomery
K. Schobert
W. J. Watterson
J. Dalrymple-Alford
R. P. Taylor
spellingShingle 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
Scientific Reports
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 Publishing Group
series Scientific Reports
issn 2045-2322
publishDate 2021-01-01
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).
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-81421-2
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