Editing Interneuron (section)

==Function==
Interneurons in the CNS are primarily [[Inhibitory postsynaptic potential|inhibitory]], and use the neurotransmitter [[GABA]] or [[glycine]]. However, excitatory interneurons using [[glutamate]] in the CNS also exist, as do interneurons releasing [[neuromodulators]] like [[acetylcholine]].

In addition to these general functions, interneurons in the insect CNS play a number of specific roles in different parts of the nervous system, and also are either excitatory or inhibitory. For example, in the olfactory system, interneurons are responsible for integrating information from odorant receptors and sending signals to the mushroom bodies, which are involved in learning and memory.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Liou |first1=Nan-Fu |last2=Lin |first2=Shih-Han |last3=Chen |first3=Ying-Jun |last4=Tsai |first4=Kuo-Ting |last5=Yang |first5=Chi-Jen |last6=Lin |first6=Tzi-Yang |last7=Wu |first7=Ting-Han |last8=Lin |first8=Hsin-Ju |last9=Chen |first9=Yuh-Tarng |last10=Gohl |first10=Daryl M. |last11=Silies |first11=Marion |last12=Chou |first12=Ya-Hui |date=2018-06-08 |title=Diverse populations of local interneurons integrate into the Drosophila adult olfactory circuit |journal=Nature Communications |language=en |volume=9 |issue=1 |pages=2232 |doi=10.1038/s41467-018-04675-x |issn=2041-1723 |pmc=5993751 |pmid=29884811|bibcode=2018NatCo...9.2232L }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Zheng |first1=Zhihao |last2=Li |first2=Feng |last3=Fisher |first3=Corey |last4=Ali |first4=Iqbal J. |last5=Sharifi |first5=Nadiya |last6=Calle-Schuler |first6=Steven |last7=Hsu |first7=Joseph |last8=Masoodpanah |first8=Najla |last9=Kmecova |first9=Lucia |last10=Kazimiers |first10=Tom |last11=Perlman |first11=Eric |last12=Nichols |first12=Matthew |last13=Li |first13=Peter H. |last14=Jain |first14=Viren |last15=Bock |first15=Davi D. |date=August 2022 |title=Structured sampling of olfactory input by the fly mushroom body |url=|journal=Current Biology |volume=32 |issue=15 |pages=3334–3349.e6 |doi=10.1016/j.cub.2022.06.031 |issn=0960-9822 |pmc=9413950 |pmid=35797998}}</ref> In the visual system, interneurons are responsible for processing motion information and sending signals to the optic lobes, which are involved in visual navigation.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Zhu |first=Yan |date=2013-07-29 |title=The Drosophila visual system: From neural circuits to behavior |journal=Cell Adhesion & Migration |language=en |volume=7 |issue=4 |pages=333–344 |doi=10.4161/cam.25521 |issn=1933-6918 |pmc=3739809 |pmid=23880926}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Shinomiya |first1=Kazunori |last2=Nern |first2=Aljoscha |last3=Meinertzhagen |first3=Ian A. |last4=Plaza |first4=Stephen M. |last5=Reiser |first5=Michael B. |date=August 2022 |title=Neuronal circuits integrating visual motion information in Drosophila melanogaster |journal=Current Biology |volume=32 |issue=16 |pages=3529–3544.e2 |doi=10.1016/j.cub.2022.06.061 |issn=0960-9822|doi-access=free |pmid=35839763 }}</ref>

Interneurons are also important for coordinating complex behaviors, such as flight and locomotion. For example, interneurons in the thoracic ganglia are responsible for coordinating the activity of the leg muscles during walking<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Bidaye |first1=Salil S. |last2=Laturney |first2=Meghan |last3=Chang |first3=Amy K. |last4=Liu |first4=Yuejiang |last5=Bockemühl |first5=Till |last6=Büschges |first6=Ansgar |last7=Scott |first7=Kristin |date=November 2020 |title=Two Brain Pathways Initiate Distinct Forward Walking Programs in Drosophila |journal=Neuron |language=en |volume=108 |issue=3 |pages=469–485.e8 |doi=10.1016/j.neuron.2020.07.032 |pmc=9435592 |pmid=32822613}}</ref> and flying.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=King |first1=David G. |last2=Wyman |first2=Robert J. |date=1980-12-01 |title=Anatomy of the giant fibre pathway inDrosophila. I. Three thoracic components of the pathway |url=|journal=Journal of Neurocytology |language=en |volume=9 |issue=6 |pages=753–770 |doi=10.1007/BF01205017 |pmid=6782199 |s2cid=10530883 |issn=1573-7381}}</ref>

Interneurons' main function is to provide a neural circuit, conducting flow of signals or information between sensory neurons and motor neurons.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://qbi.uq.edu.au/brain/brain-anatomy/types-neurons#:~:text=and%20several%20dendrites.-,Interneurons,forming%20circuits%20of%20various%20complexity. |title=Types of Neurons|website=University of Queensland |date=9 November 2017 |publisher=Queensland Brain Institute |access-date=26 April 2023}}</ref>