Mentor: Dawn Blitz, Ph.D.

Central pattern generators (CPGs) are circuits that generate rhythmic motor outputs which govern rhythmic behaviors. CPG core rhythmic activity is based on intrinsic and synaptic properties but can be altered by neuromodulators (Bucher et al., 2015). Neuromodulators can act on multiple levels: directly on the CPG circuit or indirectly modulating the circuit by acting on descending modulatory projection neurons (Marder and Bucher, 2006). There is much less known about indirect modulatory actions.

Explore Project