Dynamics of excitatory networks of bursting pacemaking neurons: Modeling and experimental studies of the respiratory central pattern generator

We have explored the dynamics of a computational model of an excitatory net work of bursting pacemaker neurons with heterogeneous properties. The netwo rk generates synchronous bursts of activity, and the frequency of both sing le cells and the synaptically coupled pacemaker cell population may be cont rolled by varying the degree of depolarizing input (DI). The dynamic range of DI where stable bursting occurs is significantly larger for the coupled population than that of individual cells, suggesting a functional role of c ellular heterogeneity in making biological rhythms more robust. Experimenta l evidence is presented from the pacemaker-network generating the respirato ry rhythm in the mammalian brainstem. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All ri ghts reserved.