Caenorhabditis elegans in neuroscience: from neural communication to neurodegenerative disease modeling

Consistent with humans and other metazoans, the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) undergoes progressive structural and functional decline during aging. Possessing highly conserved genetic pathways that share extensive homology with human genes, and characterized by a streamlined, fully mapped connectome, C. elegans has emerged as a robust model for dissecting the mechanisms underlying neuronal aging and degeneration. In this review, we summarize the intrinsic advantages of C. elegans as a model organism, highlighting its readily quantifiable behavioral phenotypes, short lifespan, and genetic tractability. We elaborate on its foundational neural communication architecture and its unique utility in constructing molecular models of neurodegenerative diseases. Additionally, we explore the integration of this model system with high-throughput pharmacological screening, environmental toxicology evaluations, and advanced genomic sequencing technologies. Ultimately, this synthesis aims to provide a comprehensive framework for investigating neurodegenerative mechanisms and facilitating clinical translation under specific stress conditions, particularly hypoxia.