Boyle, JH, Berri, S and Cohen, N (2012) Gait modulation in C. elegans: An integrated neuromechanical model. Frontiers in Computational Neuroscience, 6. ISSN 1662-5188
Abstract
Equipped with its 302-cell nervous system, the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans adapts its locomotion in different environments, exhibiting so-called swimming in liquids and crawling on dense gels. Recent experiments have demonstrated that the worm displays the full range of intermediate behaviors when placed in intermediate environments. The continuous nature of this transition strongly suggests that these behaviors all stem from modulation of a single underlying mechanism. We present a model of C. elegans forward locomotion that includes a neuromuscular control system that relies on a sensory feedback mechanism to generate undulations and is integrated with a physical model of the body and environment. We find that the model reproduces the entire swim-crawl transition, as well as locomotion in complex and heterogeneous environments. This is achieved with no modulatory mechanism, except via the proprioceptive response to the physical environment. Manipulations of the model are used to dissect the proposed pattern generation mechanism and its modulation. The model suggests a possible role for GABAergic D-class neurons in forward locomotion and makes a number of experimental predictions, in particular with respect to nonlinearities in the model and to symmetry breaking between the neuromuscular systems on the ventral and dorsal sides of the body.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | (c) 2012, Frontiers. Reproduced in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. This Document is Protected by copyright and was first published by Frontiers. All rights reserved. It is reproduced with permission. |
Keywords: | invertebrate; locomotion; motor control; neuromechanical model; proprioception |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Engineering & Physical Sciences (Leeds) > School of Computing (Leeds) > Artificial Intelligence & Biological Systems (Leeds) The University of Leeds > Faculty of Engineering & Physical Sciences (Leeds) > School of Mechanical Engineering (Leeds) > Institute of Engineering Systems and Design (iESD) (Leeds) The University of Leeds > Faculty of Medicine and Health (Leeds) > Institute of Molecular Medicine (LIMM) (Leeds) > Section of Experimental Therapeutics (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 27 Jan 2014 12:40 |
Last Modified: | 15 Sep 2014 02:25 |
Published Version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fncom.2012.00010 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Frontiers |
Identification Number: | 10.3389/fncom.2012.00010 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:77378 |