Whole-Cell Patch Clamp Electrophysiology in Dissociated Hippocampal Neurons.

Hippocampal tissue from P0-P3 experimental/control mice was dissociated and plated as a single-cell suspension onto collagen-coated tissue-culture plates. Cells were first bathed in high-sodium (identical to low-potassium solution) solution prior to local perfusion with experimental solutions (see SI Appendix for more details). Dz (300 µM) or Tol (500 µM) were prepared in high-potassium solution. Membrane potential was initially clamped at −70 mV and then pulsed to −120 mV for 10 ms to allow for settling. Voltage was then ramped up at a rate of 40 mV/s to a maximum of 40 mV before being stepped down again to −70 mV with voltage ramps repeated three times per condition. Currents at −120 mV (after 10-ms recovery) were measured to maximize potassium channel–mediated conductances. All recordings were performed at room temperature.