The Controllability of Caenorhabditis elegans Neural Network from Larva to Adult

TL;DR

This study explores how the controllability of the C. elegans neural network changes from larva to adult, revealing shifts in control priorities and sex-specific differences.

Contribution

The paper introduces a novel analysis of developmental changes in neural controllability using structural and target control frameworks in C. elegans.

Findings

Global neural controllability increases with developmental complexity in C. elegans.

Muscle-target controllability decreases after early larval stages, indicating a shift in control priorities.

Hermaphrodites show slightly higher control efficiency than males despite architectural differences.

Abstract

Biological neural networks undergo dynamic structural and functional changes during development, yet how their controllability evolves across different life stages remains largely unexplored. Here, we investigate the neural network of Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), a fully mapped model organism, to examine changes in network controllability from larval stages to adulthood. Using structural controllability and target control frameworks, we show that while global neural controllability progressively increases with developmental complexity, muscle-target controllability declines after early larval stages, indicating a functional shift in control priorities. Furthermore, a comparative analysis between hermaphroditic and male adults reveals that overall controllability remains similar despite substantial differences in neural architecture, with hermaphrodites exhibiting slightly higher efficiency. These findings highlight fundamental principles of how neural circuits reorganize during maturation and suggest that controllability analysis can provide valuable insights into neural function, sex-specific behaviors, and potential applications in modeling developmental and degenerative disorders.

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