Strong and localized recurrence controls the dimensionality of neural activity across brain areas.

Recurrent synaptic networks strongly regulate neural activity dimensionality across mouse and human brains, with motifs influencing state transitions.

• Why it matters: Understanding what controls neural activity dimensionality is crucial for deciphering brain function, yet the mechanisms remain largely unknown.
• What they did: The study analyzed high-density Neuropixels recordings and synaptic physiology data from mice and humans, focusing on network motifs that impact activity dimensionality.
• The result: Findings reveal that local circuitry and motifs systematically control the degrees of freedom in neural activity, enabling dynamic state transitions and complex brain functions.