Network physiology reveals relations between network topology and physiological function

The human organism is an integrated network where complex physiological systems, each with its own regulatory mechanisms, continuously interact, and where failure of one system can trigger a breakdown of the entire network. Identifying and quantifying dynamical networks of diverse systems with different types of interactions is a challenge. Here we develop a framework to probe interactions among diverse systems, and we identify organ interaction networks. We find that each physiological state is characterized by a specific network structure, demonstrating a robust interplay between network topology and function. Across physiological states, the organ interaction network undergoes specific reorganization process that is preserved across subject with different ages, indicating the existence of a robust relation between organ interaction networks and physiological states.