Dictionary of Biological Psychology
Interneurons are a type of NEURON whose AXONS are confined to the anatomical NUCLEUS or region that contains their SOMATA (cell bodies) (see AXON; SOMA). The type of neuron sending axons to distant locations is called PROJECTION NEURON.
Typically, interneurons have well developed DENDRITES but, as expected, short axons. The main function of interneurons is to integrate information from various afferents and convey it to projection neurons. In this role, interneurons are often referred to as LOCAL CIRCUIT NEURONS. Many interneurons are inhibitory, providing recurrent inhibition to principal neurons as in RENSHAW CELLS or enhancing SIGNAL-TO-NOISE RATIO as occurs in LATERAL INHIBITION in sensory systems.
KAZUE SEMBA
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