In general, the gastric and pyloric pattern generators function as separate neural networks. Each network was viewed as being involved with a particular activity, like chewing and filtering. Recordings from identified neurons in an animal as well as in vitro demonstrate another principles, often found in motor system. Many of the neurons show activity during more than one behaviour.
Single neurons can switch from one pattern generator to another.
Neurons can switch back and forth to spontaneously fire at different times in both pyloric and gastric rhythms. It is important to note that although different neurons have greater or lesser tendencies to fire in time with gastric and pyloric rhythms, there is no fixed order of recruitment. The same neuron do not always shift from pyloric to gastric-timed behaviour. Different subsets of neurons may be participate in strong gastric or pyloric activity. In consequence it had to be concluded, that there must be an overlap of the networks and the stomatogastric system should be considered as a motor neuronpool with multiple task processor function rather than as aconglomerate of several separate CPGs, which produce their fixed action pattern.