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A small-systems approach to motor pattern generation

Nature volume 417, pages 343–350 (2002)Cite this article

Abstract

How neuronal networks enable animals, humans included, to make coordinated movements is a continuing goal of neuroscience research. The stomatogastric nervous system of decapod crustaceans, which contains a set of distinct but interacting motor circuits, has contributed significantly to the general principles guiding our present understanding of how rhythmic motor circuits operate at the cellular level. This results from a detailed documentation of the circuit dynamics underlying motor pattern generation in this system as well as its modulation by individual transmitters and neurons.

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Figure 1: The gastric mill and pyloric circuits in the stomatogastric nervous system.
Figure 2: Illustrations of some of the membrane properties occurring in intracellularly recorded neurons (coloured circles) of central pattern generating circuits, including those in the STG.
Figure 3: Modulation of the pyloric and gastric mill rhythms in the STG.
Figure 4: Modulatory input can dismantle and reconfigure the STG circuits.
Figure 5: Convergence and divergence of transmitter actions.

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Acknowledgements

We thank E. Marder for his helpful discussions and R. Harris-Warrick for feedback on an earlier version of the manuscript. Research support in our laboratory is from National Institute of Neurological disorders and Stroke grants.

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  1. Department of Neuroscience, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 215 Stemmler Hall, Philadelphia, 19104-6074, Pennsylvania, USA

    Michael P. Nusbaum & Mark P. Beenhakker

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Correspondence to Michael P. Nusbaum.

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Nusbaum, M., Beenhakker, M. A small-systems approach to motor pattern generation. Nature 417, 343–350 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/417343a

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