Voltage dependent sodium currents in cultured rat cerebellar granule cells

Sodium currents were studied in granule cells dissociated from rat cerebellum. Macroscopic currents were recorded using the patch-clamp technique. Sodium currents, which are TTX sensitive, reached a maximum peak value of 0.42 +/- 0.08 pA/microns2 at 18.4 +/- 2.2 mV (n = 6). Activation and inactivation kinetics and steady-state properties were described in terms of Hodgkin and Huxley parameters. The properties of sodium channels in cultured rat cerebellar granule cells are very similar to those reported for various neural preparations.