Insect nervous system

The term "insect nervous system" encompasses the network of specialized cells and supporting structures responsible for integrating sensory input and controlling responses in insects. It includes three main anatomical divisions: the central nervous system (CNS), comprising the brain and ventral nerve cord; the peripheral nervous system (PNS), connecting the CNS to sense organs and muscles; and the visceral nervous system, which innervates internal organs. Functionally, it is organized into specialized neurons such as sensory (afferent), motor (efferent), and interneurons, which communicate through electrochemical impulses and neurotransmitters like acetylcholine, octopamine, dopamine, GABA, and serotonin. Importantly, the "insect nervous system" is a complex organ system, not a single protein, gene, or receptor, and therefore it is not a druggable or canonical therapeutic target.