An interneuron is a neuron acting within a neural circuit to connect and transform signals between other neurons. Many interneurons have local connections, although the category is defined functionally and includes diverse cell types. An interneuron is not automatically inhibitory: excitatory and inhibitory signalling depend on transmitter, receptor and cellular context. [ref]
Anatomy and Physiology 2e by J. Gordon Betts and others. Section 12.2, Nervous Tissue: functional neuron classes
In a reflex circuit, an inhibitory interneuron can couple activation of one motor pathway to suppression of an opposing one. This gives a concrete computational function: the circuit coordinates two outputs instead of simply forwarding a sensory signal unchanged. Recording one interneuron's activity establishes participation, while changing that activity and measuring the circuit response tests its causal contribution.
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