Dopaminergic networks exhibit small-world properties. SNC and VTA networks were assayed for small-world coefficients, characterized by high clustering (relative to a random lattice network) and low path length (relative to random network) over time. A, Both SNC and VTA networks oscillate between similar lattice-like and random-like small-world topology. B, C, SNC and VTA networks primarily exhibit lattice-like topology that is similarly stable over time (SNC vs VTA, small-world coefficient p = 0.1019, CV p = 0.4681, two-tailed unpaired t test).