Work

NeuroSimWorm: A multisensory framework for modeling and simulating neural circuits of Caenorhabditis elegans

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Biological behaviors emerge from the dynamic interplay among the inner neurodynamic system, embodied mechanical structure, and external environmental inputs. Nonetheless, existing approaches simply consider the static brain model that cannot fully exploit the potential of continuous interaction and feedback from the body and the environment. To address these problems, we introduce NeuroSimWorm , a multisensory closed-loop neural circuit simulation approach of the widely studied organism, Caenorhabditis elegans ( C. elegans ). The full closed-loop simulation platform integrates four key subcomponents including Environment, Neural Computing, Biomechanical Model, and Visualization modules. We initially define multiple sensory environments for chemical, mechanical, and thermal stimuli. Subsequently, we construct four types of neural circuits including Locomotion, Chemosensation , Thermosensation, and Mechanosensation . Fitness functions based on multisensory optimization are proposed, enabling the virtual nematode to achieve complex intelligent behaviors such as autonomous locomotion, foraging, thermosensory regulation, and tactile avoidance. Thus, NeuroSimWorm presents a feasible way to understand the mechanism of biological intelligence by modeling the connectome and simulating behaviors in the physical surroundings.

Source: Neurocomputing

DOI: 10.1016/j.neucom.2025.130055