Suppressive control of a rhythmic central pattern generator by an identified modulatory neuron in crustacea

The activity of the 14 neuron network which organizes the pyloric motor rhythm in the stomatogastric ganglion of the lobster, Homarus gammarus, is controlled by neuromodulatory inputs which have been described as having mainly 'permissive' effects. By contrast, here we identify a neuron, the pyloric suppressor (PS) neuron which exerts a 'suppressive' effect on the pyloric activity. We show that PS neuron discharge can terminate in a long-lasting manner, spontaneous pyloric rhythmic activity. Its effect results from a direct suppression of the endogenous ability of the pyloric pacemaker neurons to produce rhythmic bursts of action potentials. Thus the output of the pyloric neuronal network appears to be finely tuned by neuromodulatory influences having opposite effects.