GRADED SYNAPTIC INTERACTIONS BETWEEN LOCAL PREMOTOR INTERNEURONS OF THE LOCUST

Graded synaptic interactions are revealed between pairs of nonspiking, local interneurons in the metathoracic ganglion of the locust. These interneurons drive motor neurons innervating muscles of a hindleg. All the interactions found between the interneurons are inhibitory and one way. Synaptic transmission is effected by the graded release of chemical transmitter. Some of the connections are apparently direct. One local interneuron can, therefore, exert a graded control over the membrane potential of another local interneuron. There are inhibitory connections between local interneurons that excite the same motor neuron, between local interneurons that excite antagonistic motor neurons, and between local interneurons that excite motor neurons to muscles moving different joints of a hindleg. Other pairs of interneurons, which are not connected, may be driven by common synaptic inputs. Their outputs add together at the level of the motor neurons to produce effects that are greater than the sum of their individual effects. It is proposed that graded interactions between these local interneurons are an essential element in the generation of motor patterns.