The role of electrical coupling in generating and modulating oscillations in a neuronal network

A simplified model of the crustacean gastric mill network is considered. Rhythmic activity in this network has largely been attributed to half center oscillations driven by mutual inhibition. We use mathematical modeling and dynamical systems theory to show that rhythmic oscillations in this network may also depend on, or even arise from, a voltage-dependent electrical coupling between one of the cells in the half-center network and a projection neuron that lies outside of the network. This finding uncovers a potentially new mechanism for the generation of oscillations in neuronal networks.