The Mauthner cell: Network and functions

The Mauthner cells are two large reticulospinal cells located in the fish medulla. Because of their experimental accessibility and well-defined function as the principal neuron in the organization of escape responses, the Mauthner cell constitutes a model for the study of cellular determinants of vertebrate behavior. The article describes: (i) evidence supporting the participation of the Mauthner cells in escape and voluntary responses, (ii) their associated network, and (iii) the physiological and synaptic properties of the cells within this network, which make these behaviors possible.