# Neuropeptides Are Involved in Elicited Reversal Speed Plasticity in C. elegans During Mechanosensory Habituation

## TL;DR

This study shows that neuropeptides in C. elegans are involved in adjusting reversal speed during mechanosensory habituation.

## Contribution

The study introduces a detailed analysis of reversal speed plasticity and links it to neuropeptide signaling.

## Key findings

- Speed plasticity is highest early in reversal responses.
- Neuropeptide gene mutations reduce reversal speed plasticity.
- Peptidergic signaling may regulate reversal speed habituation.

## Abstract

Caenorhabditis elegans

respond to mechanosensory taps with brief reversal responses. In past research, speed of the response was averaged over the entire reversal for each tap to analyze reversal speed habituation; however, with this measure, only a modest decrement in speed was observed. Using a more detailed breakdown of reversal speed, we found that speed is most plastic early in the reversal and stable later on. Using this analysis, we found that worms with mutations in neuropeptide genes show reduced speed plasticity during the first second of reversals, indicating peptidergic signaling may be involved in reversal speed plasticity.