Characterizing complex networks using Entropy-degree diagrams: unveiling changes in functional brain connectivity induced by Ayahuasca
arXiv Preprint Archive September 26, 2018 A. Viol, Fernanda Palhano-Fontes, Heloisa Onias et al.
A new network metric called geodesic entropy quantifies the Shannon entropy of the distance distribution from each node to all others, capturing the structural role of individual nodes in a network. Applied to functional brain networks of humans in two states of consciousness—ordinary waking and after ingestion of Ayahuasca—the metric distinguished the states. Brain networks under Ayahuasca showed, on average, larger geodesic entropy than those in the ordinary waking state. The authors suggest geodesic entropy is a useful tool for analyzing complex networks and may improve understanding of emergent behaviors such as self-organized criticality.