Navigation in brain networks is possible using only local measures.

A major question in neuroscience is how the brain structure facilitates its complex functions via the synchronous activity of separate parts of the brain. Recent research has indicated that the mechanisms underlying this facilitation are based on local interactions between neurons. We investigated whether it is possible in a network structured like the human brain to facilitate communication between functionally connected parts of the brain. We observed that using a combination of local criteria to direct it, a simple greedy algorithm can achieve similar efficiency (within 80% and 90% of the shortest paths) to the propagation mechanisms proposed in the literature, without relying on global explanations.