Small-world Neural Networks in The Brain
Both anatomical connections in the brain and the synchronization networks of cortical neurons exhibit small-world topology.
A small-world network of neurons can exhibit short-term memory. A computer model developed by Solla et al. had two stable states, a property (called bistability) thought to be important in memory storage. An activating pulse generated self-sustaining loops of communication activity among the neurons. A second pulse ended this activity. The pulses switched the system between stable states: flow (recording a "memory"), and stasis (holding it).
On a more general level, many large-scale neural networks in the brain, such as the visual system and brain stem, exhibit small-world properties.
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