<p>Descending inputs onto the central pattern generating circuit provide stimulus in the form of neuromodulatory chemicals and synaptic currents (Marder 2012). The leech heartbeat pacemaker and the stomatogastric ganglion in crustaceans are well-studied model systems that show descending input from higher functions.</p>

<p>Specifically, in humans, we are not sure. This type of question is best answered in invertebrates for the time being. In invertebrate electrophysiology, the circuit can be "decentralized," by chemically or physically destroying the inputs from the ascending ganglia. In the stomatogastric ganglion, this results in a less-stable but still very robust central pattern (Hamood et al., 2015).</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-07-20T18:09:47.720Z
Just to make sure I have the citation correct: Is Marder "NEUROMODULATION OF NEURONAL CIRCUITS: BACK TO THE FUTURE"? I couldn't find the paper for Hamood.
Seanny123
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-07-20T18:05:00.817Z
2017-07-20T18:05:00.817Z
Alec Hoyland
<p>Central Pattern Generators are populations of neurons found in the spinal chord that assist in the creation of rhythmic movements. See "<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25582580" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Human spinal locomotor control is based on flexibly organized burst generators</a>" by Danner et al, for a recent publication on the topic. How does the brain-based motor system interact with these pattern generators? Do they operate mostly independently or is there some feedback being communicated? If there is feedback, what type of information is it transmitting?</p>

<theoretical-neuroscience><motor>
How do the motor system and Central Pattern Generators interact?
Seanny123
# How do the motor system and Central Pattern Generators interact?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-04-03)

Central Pattern Generators are populations of neurons found in the spinal chord that assist in the creation of rhythmic movements. See "[Human spinal locomotor control is based on flexibly organized burst generators](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25582580)" by Danner et al, for a recent publication on the topic. How does the brain-based motor system interact with these pattern generators? Do they operate mostly independently or is there some feedback being communicated? If there is feedback, what type of information is it transmitting?

**Tags:** theoretical-neuroscience, motor


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2017-07-20. Score: 4

Descending inputs onto the central pattern generating circuit provide stimulus in the form of neuromodulatory chemicals and synaptic currents (Marder 2012). The leech heartbeat pacemaker and the stomatogastric ganglion in crustaceans are well-studied model systems that show descending input from higher functions.

Specifically, in humans, we are not sure. This type of question is best answered in invertebrates for the time being. In invertebrate electrophysiology, the circuit can be "decentralized," by chemically or physically destroying the inputs from the ascending ganglia. In the stomatogastric ganglion, this results in a less-stable but still very robust central pattern (Hamood et al., 2015).

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Just to make sure I have the citation correct: Is Marder "NEUROMODULATION OF NEURONAL CIRCUITS: BACK TO THE FUTURE"? I couldn't find the paper for Hamood.  

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