Development of multi-cluster cortical networks by time windows for spatial growth

Many neural networks, such as the complex cortical networks of the mammalian brain, are organized in multiple clusters, with many connections within but few links between clusters. To generate this organization, we explored a wiring rule in which the establishment of a connection between two areas depended on the areas’ distance as well as their respective time windows for connection establishment. The concept of time windows was based on the observation that the development of cortical areas partially overlaps in time. Our algorithm was able to generate multiple network clusters depending on the number and overlap of the time windows.