Exhibit 23.1
                                                                   ------------

                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in Amendment
No.  2 to the  Registration  Statement  (Form  S-3 No.  333-71026)  and  related
Prospectus  of  Synaptic  Pharmaceutical  Corporation  for the  registration  of
7,564,584  shares of its  common  stock and to the  incorporation  by  reference
therein of our report  dated  February 2, 2001,  with  respect to the  financial
statements of Synaptic Pharmaceutical  Corporation included in its Annual Report
(Form 10-K) for the year ended  December 31, 2000 filed with the  Securities and
Exchange Commission.





                                              /s/ Ernst & Young



MetroPark, New Jersey
February 13, 2002