The effects of QX314 on thalamic neurons

The effects of QX314 were studied in cat thalamic neurons recorded in vivo. Besides blocking Na+ spike electrogenesis, QX314 transformed spindle oscillations into a single long-lasting period of hyperpolarization that terminated with a rebound Ca2+ spike. Large sustained injections of the drug resulted in the occurrence of numerous fast prepotentials that had the characteristics of attenuated dendritic Ca2+ spikes. These effects are interpreted as resulting from the blockage by QX314 of a persistent Na+ current and a delayed rectifier K+ current which currents have already been disclosed in thalamic neurons recorded in vitro.