2002 West Coast Worm Meeting abstract 83
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National Institute on Aging/IRP, 5600 Nathan Shock Dr, Baltimore, MD 21224
Senescence in C. elegansis accompanied by intestinal and cuticular changes as well as decreased pumping rate. In addition, defecation rate and movement decline across lifespan(1). We have been investigating whether neuronal function also changes over lifespan by using a variety of behavioral assays to study sensory functions in aged worms. We observed a mid-life decline in chemotactic behavior. However, at mid-life animals can still sense volatile repellants at close range, respond to light touch, and move. This suggests that the changes in chemotactic behavior might be divorced from sensory function, possibly due to muscular deterioration or altered behavioral responses. We are currently conducting experiments to distinguish between these possibilities.
(1) Bolanowski, M A., et. al. Mech. Ageing Dev., 1981. 15: 279-295.