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



                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

     We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration  Statement
(Form S-8 No. 333-05793)  pertaining to the 1988 Amended and Restated  Incentive
Plan,  the 1996 Incentive  Plan and the 1996 Non-employee  Director Stock Option
Plan of Synaptic Pharmaceutical  Corporation  of our report  dated  February 15,
2002,  with  respect to the  financial  statements  of  Synaptic  Pharmaceutical
Corporation  included  in this Annual  Report  (Form  10-K)  for the year  ended
December 31, 2001, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.





                                                  /s/ Ernst & Young LLP



MetroPark, New Jersey
March 29, 2002