Surprisingly simple model explains how brain cells organize and connect

Physicists and neuroscientists from the University of Chicago, Harvard, and Yale published a study in Nature Physics on January 17, 2024. They discovered that neuronal connectivity relies on universal networking and self-organization principles, not specific to organisms. Neurons form connections based on Hebbian dynamics, leading to a consistent "heavy-tailed" distribution of connections across various species.

This discovery highlights general networking principles in shaping neural networks responsible for cognitive functions, communication, and movement. It may also apply beyond biology, explaining non-biological networks like social interactions. While randomness and noise play a role in brain circuits, the study emphasizes the need to balance Hebbian dynamics with randomness for realistic brain network formation.

Interdisciplinary research, combining theoretical physics, data analysis, and neurobiology expertise, broadens our understanding of brain connectivity and offers insights into applying these principles to other network types, opening exciting research possibilities.