Eigenvector-based community detection for identifying information hubs in neuronal networks

Clark, Ruaridh and Macdonald, Malcolm (2018) Eigenvector-based community detection for identifying information hubs in neuronal networks. Preprint / Working Paper. bioRxiv, New York. (https://doi.org/10.1101/457143)

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Abstract

Eigenvectors of networked systems are known to reveal central, well-connected, network vertices. Here we expand upon the known applications of eigenvectors to define well-connected communities where each is associated with a prominent vertex. This form of community detection provides an analytical approach for analysing the dynamics of information flow in a network. When applied to the neuronal network of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, known circuitry can be identified as separate eigenvector-based communities. For the macaque's neuronal network, community detection can expose the hippocampus as an information hub; this result contradicts current thinking that the analysis of static graphs cannot reveal such insights. The application of community detection on a large scale human connectome (around 1.8 million vertices) reveals the most prominent information carrying pathways present during a magnetic resonance imaging scan. We demonstrate that these pathways can act as an effective unique identifier for a subject's brain by assessing the number of matching pathways present in any two connectomes.

ORCID iDs

Clark, Ruaridh ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4601-2085 and Macdonald, Malcolm ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4499-4281;
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