Arshavsky I, Deliagina T G, Orlovsky G N
Zh Vyssh Nerv Deiat Im I P Pavlova. 2015 Mar-Apr;65(2):156-87.
Central pattern generators (CPGs) are a set of interconnected neurons capable of generating a basic pattern of motor output underlying "automatic" movements (breathing, locomotion, chewing, swallowing, and so on) in the absence of afferent signals from the executive motor apparatus. They can be divided into the constitutive CPGs active throughout the entire lifetime (respiratory CPGs) and conditional CPGs controlling episodic movements (locomotion, chewing, swallowing, and others). Since a motor output of CPGs is determined by their internal organization, the activities of the conditional CPGs are initiated by simple commands coming from higher centers. We describe the structural and functional organization of the locomotor CPGs in the marine mollusk Clione limacina, lamprey, frog embryo, and laboratory mammals (cat, mouse, and rat), CPGs controlling the respiratory and swallowing movements in mammals, and CPGs controlling discharges of the electric organ in the gymnotiform fish. It is shown that in all these cases, the generation of rhythmic motor output is based both on the endogenous (pacemaker) activity of specific groups of interneurons and on interneural interactions. These two interrelated mechanisms complement each other, ensuring the high reliability of CPG functionality. We discuss how the experience obtained in studying CPGs can be used to understand mechanisms of more complex functions of the brain, including its cognitive functions.
中枢模式发生器（CPGs）是一组相互连接的神经元，能够在没有来自执行运动器官的传入信号的情况下，产生“自动”运动（呼吸、运动、咀嚼、吞咽等）所依据的基本运动输出模式。它们可分为在整个生命周期中都活跃的组成型CPGs（呼吸CPGs）和控制偶发性运动（运动、咀嚼、吞咽等）的条件型CPGs。由于CPGs的运动输出由其内部组织决定，条件型CPGs的活动由来自高级中枢的简单指令启动。我们描述了海蛞蝓、七鳃鳗、青蛙胚胎和实验哺乳动物（猫、小鼠和大鼠）中运动CPGs的结构和功能组织，哺乳动物中控制呼吸和吞咽运动的CPGs，以及裸背电鳗目鱼类中控制电器官放电的CPGs。结果表明，在所有这些情况下，节律性运动输出的产生既基于特定中间神经元群的内源性（起搏器）活动，也基于神经元间的相互作用。这两种相互关联的机制相互补充，确保了CPG功能的高可靠性。我们讨论了研究CPGs所获得的经验如何用于理解大脑更复杂功能的机制，包括其认知功能。
