Synaptic mechanisms in invertebrate pattern generation

Although individual neurons can be intrinsically oscillatory and can be network pacemakers, motor patterns are often generated in a more distributed manner. Synaptic connections with other neurons are important because they either modify the rhythm of the pacemaker cell or are essential for pattern generation in the first place. Computational studies of half-center oscillators have made much progress in describing how neurons make transitions between active and inactive phases in these simple networks. In addition to characterizing phase transitions, recent studies have described the synaptic mechanisms that are important for the initiation and maintenance of activity in half-center oscillators.