| In decapod Crustacea, the rhythmic activity of the pyloric filter is programmed within a network of 14 neurons in the stomatogastric nervous system. The pyloric network activity is underlied by both the endogenous regenerative properties of its neurons and the organization of their synaptic connections. Both factors are controlled by central modulatory neurons. Two of these neurons were identified, the APM neuron, which induces, and the PS neuron, which suppresses, the regenerative properties of pyloric neurons. APM can start and PS can stop the rhythmic pyloric activity, but both of them can also change its expression. Because of this control, the pyloric network can produce several types of motor pattern. |
