Automated quantitative analysis of differences in Caenorhabditis elegans head swings and omega turns among strains

Neurodegenerative diseases have recently garnered significant attention. To better understand the pathogenesis of these diseases and find effective treatments, scientists are increasingly using model organisms in their research. Nematodes, a model organism for studying neurodegenerative diseases, offer crucial insights into the relationship between genes, motor neurons, and locomotion behavior. By identifying the positions of nematodes using a head and tail localization model and automatically counting head swings and omega turns, the analysis of behavioral differences among various nematode strains demonstrates the connection between locomotion behavior and motor neurons. The results from automated counting serve as key indicators of motor neuron integrity, emphasizing the importance of nervous regulation in nematode locomotion behavior and providing new avenues for studying sensory systems and behavioral mechanisms. This has potential implications for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.