Graph theory is now becoming a standard tool in system-level neuroscience. However, endowing observed brain anatomy and dynamics with a complex network structure does not entail that the brain actually works as a network. Asking whether the brain behaves as a network means asking whether network properties count. From the viewpoint of neurophysiology and, possibly, of brain physics, the most substantial issues a network structure may be instrumental in addressing relate to the influence of network properties on brain dynamics and to whether these properties ultimately explain some aspects of brain function. Here, we address the dynamical implications of complex network, examining which aspects and scales of brain activity may be understood to genuinely behave as a network. To do so, we first define the meaning of , and analyse some of its implications. We then examine ways in which brain anatomy and dynamics can be endowed with a network structure and discuss possible ways in which network structure may be shown to represent a genuine organisational principle of brain activity, rather than just a convenient description of its anatomy and dynamics.

中文翻译：

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大脑的行为是否像一个（复杂的）网络？一、动力学

图论现在正在成为系统级神经科学的标准工具。然而，赋予观察到的大脑解剖学和动力学以复杂的网络结构并不意味着大脑实际上作为一个网络来工作。询问大脑的行为是否像一个网络意味着询问网络属性是否重要。从神经生理学以及可能的脑物理学的角度来看，网络结构可能有助于解决的最实质性问题涉及网络特性对大脑动力学的影响，以及这些特性是否最终解释了大脑功能的某些方面。在这里，我们解决了复杂网络的动态影响，检查大脑活动的哪些方面和规模可以被理解为真正表现得像一个网络。为此，我们首先定义 的含义，并分析它的一些含义。然后，我们研究如何赋予大脑解剖学和动力学以网络结构，并讨论网络结构可能被证明代表大脑活动的真正组织原则的可能方法，而不仅仅是对其解剖学和动力学的方便描述。