Figure 1.

Multiscale interaction in network development, function, and disease. a, Development: Neural connectivity emerges as a function of cell identity, linking network dynamics across modalities and scales. Regulatory networks (top left) underlie cell differentiation, and protein–protein interactions guide morphologic maturation and synaptic specificity (top right). b, Function: Structural connectivity guides the emergent possibilities of functional networks, determining the strength with which one neuron can influence the next (bottom). c, Disease: In a diseased state, failures at multiple network levels lead to perturbed function. Genetic mutations cause disruptions in gene regulatory networks (top left), as well as conformation changes that change protein–protein interactions (top right), potentially leading to loss of synaptic connectivity (dashed neurites). In turn, reduced connection strength between neuron disruptions activity propagation (bottom), providing links between genetic changes and cognitive dysfunction.