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arXiv · 1203.0242

Network Physiology reveals relations between network topology and physiological function

Amir Bashan·Ronny P. Bartsch·Jan W. Kantelhardt·Shlomo Havlin·Plamen Ch. Ivanov
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Abstract

The human organism is an integrated network where complex physiologic systems, each with its own regulatory mechanisms, continuously interact, and where failure of one system can trigger a breakdown of the entire network. Identifying and quantifying dynamical networks of diverse systems with different types of interactions is a challenge. Here, we develop a framework to probe interactions among diverse systems, and we identify a physiologic network. We find that each physiologic state is characterized by a specific network structure, demonstrating a robust interplay between network topology and function. Across physiologic states the network undergoes topological transitions associated with fast reorganization of physiologic interactions on time scales of a few minutes, indicating high network flexibility in response to perturbations. The proposed system-wide integrative approach may facilitate the development of a new field, Network Physiology.

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Amir Bashan, Ronny P. Bartsch, Jan W. Kantelhardt, Shlomo Havlin, Plamen Ch. Ivanov. 2012-03-01. Network Physiology reveals relations between network topology and physiological function. https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms1705

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