Mathematical modeling of the Caenorhabditis elegans RMD motor neurons

The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans has been established as a model organism for developmental biology, drug screening, and human disease studies. Its nervous system has been completely characterized in neurons number and connections and, therefore, it constitutes an ideal framework for the study of simple, yet realistic, neuronal systems. In this context, biophysical mathematical models of single neurons could effectively help to deepen our knowledge of C. elegans neuronal dynamics. In this work, we present a Hodgkin-Huxley model of the RMD motor neurons, based on available experimental data. Our results properly reproduce the electrical oscillations of RMD neurons membrane potential in response to external stimuli and highlight the role of T-type calcium channels in the bistability of the neuron. Our work gives a basis for the in silico modeling of the nematode nervous and muscular system, with possible applications in the study of channelopathies effects on neuronal and muscular activity.