Fig 1. Relating biological and model networks using population analyses:

Because a model network typically does not attempt to replicate the precise anatomical connectivity of a biological network, there is not a one-to-one correspondence of each biological neuron with a model neuron. Dimensionality reduction can be used to obtain a concise summary of the population activity from each network. This provides common ground for incisive comparisons between biological and model networks. Discrepancies in the population activity structure between biological and model networks can then help to refine model networks.