This is the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans. Manuel Zimmer and his team studied the brain activity of these worms and tracked how their isolated neurons work together as a
group. By combining two different scientific technologies. The first on would be using "3D microscopy techniques to simultaneously and rapidly
measure different regions of the brain" and the second would be "worms genetically engineered
with a fluorescent protein that caused the worm’s neurons to flash when they were active." ("Vienna neuroscientists decode the brain activity
of the worm," 2015) By observing the animals' reactions to trying to find food, Zimmer and his team "saw that most of the neurons are constantly active and coordinate
with each other" acting as "an ensemble”, explains postdoctoral
scientist Saul Kato. Since the C. elegans were debilitated the neurons' results reflected intentions instead of the physical act of finding food. ("Vienna neuroscientists decode the brain activity
of the worm," 2015) Set up for freely moving worms, a different technique of microscopy enabled the scientists to identify the neurons that commence the worm's movement. It is found that there is "a direct correlation between the activity of certain networks
and the impulse for movements." ("Vienna neuroscientists decode the brain activity of the worm," 2015) These activities represent short movements as well as their assembly into longer lasting behavioral
strategies, like searching for food. The fact that these simple life forms' brains represent basic principles of brain function, even though the worm is only
distantly related to mammals, could unlock some very important unanswered questions in the area of neurobiology. ("Vienna neuroscientists decode the brain activity of the worm," 2015)Vienna neuroscientists decode the brain activity of the worm. (2015, October 15). Retrieved November 1, 2015.
