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From neuron to behavior: dynamic equation-based prediction of biological processes in motor control

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Abstract

This article presents the use of continuous dynamic models in the form of differential equations to describe and predict temporal changes in biological processes and discusses several of its important advantages over discontinuous bistable ones, exemplified on the stick insect walking system. In this system, coordinated locomotion is produced by concerted joint dynamics and interactions on different dynamical scales, which is therefore difficult to understand. Modeling using differential equations possesses, in general, the potential for the inclusion of biological detail, the suitability for simulation, and most importantly, parameter manipulation to make predictions about the system behavior. We will show in this review article how, in case of the stick insect walking system, continuous dynamical system models can help to understand coordinated locomotion.

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  1. Emmy Noether Research Group of Computational Biology, Department of Animal Physiology, Institute of Zoology, University of Cologne, Zülpicher Str. 47b, 50674, Cologne, Germany

    Silvia Daun-Gruhn

  2. Department of Animal Physiology, Institute of Zoology, University of Cologne, Zülpicher Str. 47b, 50674, Cologne, Germany

    Ansgar Büschges

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  1. Silvia Daun-Gruhn
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  2. Ansgar Büschges
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Correspondence to Silvia Daun-Gruhn.

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Daun-Gruhn, S., Büschges, A. From neuron to behavior: dynamic equation-based prediction of biological processes in motor control. Biol Cybern 105, 71–88 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00422-011-0446-6

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