Brain architecture: A design for natural computation

Abstract

Fifty years ago, John von Neumann compared the architecture of the brain with that of computers that he invented and which is still in use today. In those days, the organisation of computers was based on concepts of brain organisation. Here, we give an update on current results on the global organisation of neural systems. For neural systems, we outline how the spatial and topological architecture of neuronal and cortical networks facilitates robustness against failures, fast processing, and balanced network activation. Finally, we discuss mechanisms of self-organization for such architectures. After all, the organization of the brain might again inspire computer architecture.

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• Synchronization Patterns: From Network Motifs to Hierarchical Networks
• Towards Google matrix of brain
• An integrative dynamical perspective for graph theory and the study of complex networks
• Automatic Network Fingerprinting through Single-Node Motifs