Command neuron

A command neuron is a single neuron (or small set of neurons) whose stimulation results in the evocation of an endogenous, specific, naturally occurring behavior pattern (Carew, 2000). Command neurons act as neural decision making cells; push buttons that can trigger a complete, coordinated behavioral act and are often the sole determinant of whether an action is performed or not. Command neurons receive a convergence of integrative and sensory input and output to a multifarious group of pattern generating efferent cells. Stimulation of the command neuron triggers a lower level central pattern generator whose motorneurons and interneurons produce a particular fixed action pattern.