Central pattern generator
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A central pattern generator (CPG) is a network of neurons (or even a single neuron) which is able to exhibit rhythmic activity in the absence of sensory input. There are several criteria that classify a central pattern generator as such:
- they must be phasically locked and correlated to the rhythmic behavior observed;
- ablation of cell or network will decrease or disrupt the CPG's rhythm;
- stimulation of the cell can initate, modulate and maintain the CPG rhythm;
- the cell must be able to reset the CPG when stimulated.
A theory behind CPG is proprioceptive feedback. As information is interpreted from receptor neurons new sensory feedback will be sent to the CNS which in turn triggers another component of the CPG, ultimatly making its way back to the first component of the system.
Artificially, they are also sometimes implemented to control robot locomotion.
Some examples of natural central pattern generators:
- The stomatogastric nervous system
- Swimming in fish
- Insect wing control for flight
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Dimitrijevic MR, Gerasimenko Y, Pinter MM. Evidence for a spinal central pattern generator in humans. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1998 Nov 16;860:360-76.
- A.J. Ijspeert and J. Kodjabachian. Evolution and development of a central pattern generator for the swimming of a lamprey. Research Paper No 926, Dept. of Artificial Intelligence, University of Edinburgh, 1998.
- Arthur D. Kuo. The relative roles of feedforward and feedback in the control of rhythmic movements. Motor Control, 2002, 6, 129-145 (.pdf format)
- Paul S. Katz, David J. Fickbohm, and Christina P. Lynn-Bullock. Evidence that the Central Pattern Generator for Swimming in Tritonia Arose from a Non-Rhythmic Neuromodulatory Arousal System: Implications for the Evolution of Specialized Behavior. Amer. Zool. 41: 962-975. doi:10.1093/icb/41.4.962
Carew J.T. (2000) Behavioral Neurobiology. Sinauer Associates, Inc. Sunderland, MA: 155-163
 |
This neuroscience article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
