A model of motor control of the nematode C. elegans with neuronal circuits

Authors:
Michiyo Suzuki;Toshio Tsuji;Hisao Ohtake
Affiliations:
Department of Artificial Complex Systems Engineering, Hiroshima University, 1-4-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8527, Japan;Department of Artificial Complex Systems Engineering, Hiroshima University, 1-4-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8527, Japan;Department of Biotechnology, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
Venue:
Artificial Intelligence in Medicine
Year:
2005

Citing 2
Cited 5

Parallel distributed processing: explorations in the microstructure of cognition, vol. 1: foundations

Parallel distributed processing: explorations in the microstructure of cognition, vol. 1: foundations
A Neural Network Model of Caenorhabditis Elegans: The Circuitof Touch Sensitivity

Neural Processing Letters

Biomimetic control based on a model of chemotaxis in escherichia coli

Artificial Life
Computational inferences on alteration of neurotransmission in chemotaxis learning in caenorhabditis elegans

ICANN'10 Proceedings of the 20th international conference on Artificial neural networks: Part I
A novel tuning method for neural oscillators with a ladder-like structure based on oscillation analysis

ICANN'10 Proceedings of the 20th international conference on Artificial neural networks: Part I
Theoretical and evolutionary parameter tuning of neural oscillators with a double-chain structure for generating rhythmic signals

Neural Computation
A 3D undulatory locomotion model inspired by C. elegans through DNN approach

Neurocomputing

Quantified Score

Hi-index	0.00

Visualization

Abstract

Objective:: Living organisms have mechanisms to adapt to various conditions of external environments. If we can realize these mechanisms on the computer, it may be possible to apply methods of biological and biomimetic adaptation to the engineering of artificial machines. This paper focuses on the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), which has a relatively simple structure and is one of the most studied multicellular organisms. We aim to develop its computer model, artificial C. elegans, to analyze control mechanisms with respect to motion. Although C. elegans processes many kinds of external stimuli, we focused on gentle touch stimulation. Methods:: The proposed model consists of a neuronal circuit model for motor control that responds to gentle touch stimuli and a kinematic model of the body for movement. All parameters included in the neuronal circuit model are adjusted by using the real-coded genetic algorithm. Also, the neuronal oscillator model is employed in the body model to generate the sinusoidal movement. The motion velocity of the body model is controlled by the neuronal circuit model so as to correspond to the touch stimuli that are received in sensory neurons. Conclusion:: The computer simulations confirmed that the proposed model is capable of realizing motor control similar to that of the actual organism qualitatively. By using the artificial organism it may be possible to clarify or predict some characteristics that cannot be measured in actual experiments. With the recent development of computer technology, such a computational analysis becomes a real possibility. The artificial C. elegans will contribute for studies in experimental biology in future, although it is still developing at present.