Modeling the vagus nerve system with the Unified Modeling Language

Traditionally, the means of describing anatomical and physiological structures of the autonomic nervous system is natural language, drawings and images as represented in the scientific literature. In behavioral studies of this system, mathematical and electrical models and computer simulation tools are in use. In this article, we propose the use of the Unified Modeling Language to describe and specify the anatomical and physiological structures and indicate how these can be enriched to capture the behavioral view as well. Using the metamodel facilities of the language, we propose a domain specific language that captures the domain concepts, their relationships and constraints. Application of the language is demonstrated by modeling the vagus nerve in part.

Research highlights▶ Introducing the UML for the conceptual modeling of the autonomic nervous system. ▶ Definition of a metamodel for nerves and nerve networks. ▶ Definition of a metamodel for neurons and neuronal networks. ▶ Application to modeling the vagus nerve and various neuron types. ▶ Partial model of the baroreceptor reflex.