Asymmetry in synaptic connectivity balances redundancy and reachability in the Caenorhabditis elegans connectome

Varun Sanjay Birari, Ithai Rabinowitch*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The brain is overall bilaterally symmetrical, but also exhibits considerable asymmetry. While symmetry may endow neural networks with robustness and resilience, asymmetry may enable parallel information processing and functional specialization. How is this tradeoff between symmetrical and asymmetrical brain architecture balanced? To address this, we focused on the Caenorhabditis elegans connectome, comprising 99 classes of bilaterally symmetrical neuron pairs. We found symmetry in the number of synaptic partners between neuron class members, but pronounced asymmetry in the identity of these synapses. We applied graph theoretical metrics for evaluating Redundancy, the selective reinforcement of specific neural paths by multiple alternative synaptic connections, and Reachability, the extent and diversity of synaptic connectivity of each neuron class. We found Redundancy and Reachability to be stochastically tunable by the level of network asymmetry, driving the C. elegans connectome to favor Redundancy over Reachability. These results elucidate fundamental relations between lateralized neural connectivity and function.

Original languageEnglish
Article number110713
JournaliScience
Volume27
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - 20 Sep 2024

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 The Author(s)

Keywords

  • Biological sciences
  • Natural sciences
  • Neuroscience
  • Systems neuroscience

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