Interneuron | |
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Details | |
Location | Nervous system |
Identifiers | |
MeSH | D007395 |
NeuroLex ID | birnlex_2534 |
TH | H2.00.06.1.00058 |
FMA | 67313 |
Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy |
Interneurons (also called internuncial neurons, relay neurons, association neurons, connector neurons, intermediate neurons or local circuit neurons) are neurons that connect to brain regions, i.e. not direct motor neurons or sensory neurons. Interneurons are the central nodes of neural circuits, enabling communication between sensory or motor neurons and the central nervous system (CNS).[2] They play vital roles in reflexes, neuronal oscillations,[3] and neurogenesis in the adult mammalian brain.[citation needed]
Interneurons can be further broken down into two groups: local interneurons and relay interneurons.[4][need quotation to verify] Local interneurons have short axons and form circuits with nearby neurons to analyze small pieces of information.[5] Relay interneurons have long axons and connect circuits of neurons in one region of the brain with those in other regions.[5] However, interneurons are generally considered to operate mainly within local brain areas.[6] The interaction between interneurons allows the brain to perform complex functions such as learning and decision-making.