Small-worldness favours network inference in synthetic neural networks

Abstract

A main goal in the analysis of a complex system is to infer its underlying network structure from timeseries observations of its behaviour. The inference process is often done by using bi-variate similarity measures, such as the cross-correlation (CC) or mutual information (MI), however, the main factors favouring or hindering its success are still puzzling. Here, we use synthetic neuron models in order to reveal the main topological properties that frustrate or facilitate inferring the underlying network from CC measurements. Specifcally, we use pulse-coupled Izhikevich neurons connected as in the Caenorhabditis elegans neural networks as well as in networks with similar randomness and smallworldness. We analyse the efectiveness and robustness of the inference process under diferent observations and collective dynamics, contrasting the results obtained from using membrane potentials and inter-spike interval time-series. We fnd that overall, small-worldness favours network inference and degree heterogeneity hinders it. In particular, success rates in C. elegans networks – that combine small-world properties with degree heterogeneity – are closer to success rates in Erdös-Rényi network models rather than those in Watts-Strogatz network models. These results are relevant to understand better the relationship between topological properties and function in diferent neural networks