Figure 1

In a 5-cell pattern-generating circuit of heterogeneous neurons, f1 and f2 are intrinsically fast oscillators, s1 and s2 are intrinsically slow oscillators, and the "hub neuron" (hn) which is electrically coupled to both of the rhythm-generating parts of the circuit is an intrinsic oscillator of intermediate frequency (plotted dashed lines represent respective intrinsic frequencies). The 3 electrically coupled neurons synchronize at a common frequency with sufficient coupling strength when electrical synapses are non-rectifying (case 0) as well as when the polarity and placement of the rectifying electrical synapse cooperates with the intrinsic neuron properties (cases 1 and 4). When the polarity and placement of the rectifying electrical synapse antagonizes the neuron intrinsic properties, one of the rhythm-generating parts of the circuit is cut off from the rest of the circuit (cases 2 and 3).