An integrative data-driven model simulating C. elegans brain, body and environment interactions

Mengdi Zhao, Ning Wang, Xinrui Jiang, Xiaoyang Ma, Haixin Ma, Gan He, Kai Du, Lei Ma, Tiejun Huang

Abstract: The behavior of an organism is influenced by the complex interplay between its brain, body and environment. Existing data-driven models focus on either the brain or the body–environment. Here we present BAAIWorm, an integrative data-driven model of Caenorhabditis elegans, which consists of two submodels: the brain model and the body–environment model. The brain model was built by multicompartment models with realistic morphology, connectome and neural population dynamics based on experimental data. Simultaneously, the body–environment model used a lifelike body and a three-dimensional physical environment. Through the closed-loop interaction between the two submodels, BAAIWorm reproduced the realistic zigzag movement toward attractors observed in C. elegans. Leveraging this model, we investigated the impact of neural system structure on both neural activities and behaviors. Consequently, BAAIWorm can enhance our understanding of how the brain controls the body to interact with its surrounding environment. BAAIWorm is an integrative data-driven model of C. elegans that simulates interactions between the brain, body and environment. The biophysically detailed neuronal model is capable of replicating the zigzag movement observed in this species.