Whole cell voltage clamp recordings from cultured neurons of the supraoptic area of neonatal rat hypothalamus.
Whole-cell voltage and current clamp recordings were made from cultured neurons from the hypothalamic supraoptic area of neonatal rats. These neurons fired spontaneous Na+-action potentials, appearing as mixed Na+/K+-currents in voltage clamp. Isolated Na+-currents (less than 3 nA) were rapidly activated and inactivated during positive potential pulses from -80 mV. Two voltage-activated Ba2+-currents (less than 1 nA) were also recorded. These techniques offer a promising new approach for studying the striking electrical behavior of cultured hypothalamic neurons.
D000200:Action Potentials; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000502:physiology*; D008564:Membrane Potentials; D051381:Rats; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism*; D013495:Supraoptic Nucleus / Q000502:physiology*
D007473:Ion Channels; D012964:Sodium; D002118:Calcium