Hyperpolarization-activated inward current in neurons of the rat's dorsal nucleus of the lateral lemniscus in vitro

The hyperpolarization-activated current (I-h) underlying inward rectification in neurons of the rat's dorsal nucleus of the lateral lemniscus (DNLL) was investigated using whole cell patch-clamp techniques. Patch recordings were made from DNLL neurons of young rats (21-30 days old) in 400 mu m tissue slices. Under current clamp, injection of negative current produced a graded hyperpolarization of the cell membrane, often with a gradual sag in the membrane potential toward the resting value. The rate and magnitude of the sag depended on the amount of hyperpolarizing current. Larger current resulted in a larger and faster decay of the voltage. Under voltage clamp, hyperpolarizing voltage steps elicited a slowly activating inward current that was presumably responsible for the sag observed in the voltage response to a steady hyperpolarizing current recorded under current clamp. Activation of the inward current (I-h) was voltage and time dependent. The current just was seen at a membrane potential of -70 mV and was activated fully at -140 mV. The voltage value of half-maximal activation of I-h was -78.0 +/- 6.0 (SE) mV. The rate of I-h activation was best approximated by a single exponential function with a time constant that was voltage dependent, ranging from 276 +/- 27 ms at -100 mV to 186 +/- 11 ms at -140 mV. Reversal potential (Eh) Of I-h current was mon positive than the resting potential. Raising the extracellular potassium concentration shifted E-h to a more depolarized value, whereas lowering the extracellular sodium concentration shifted E-h in a more negative direction. I-h was sensitive to extracellular cesium but relatively insensitive to extracellular barium. The current amplitude near maximal-activation (about -140 mV) was reduced to 40% of control by 1 mM cesium but was reduced to only 71% of control by 2 mM barium. When the membrane potential was near the resting potential (about -60 mV), cesium had no effect on the membrane potential, current-evoked firing rate and input resistance but reduced the spontaneous firing. When the membrane potential was more negative than -70 mV, cesium hyperpolarized the cell, decreased current-evoked firing and increased the input resistance. I-h in DNLL neurons does not contribute to the normal resting potential but may enhance the extent of excitation, thereby making the DNLL a consistently powerful inhibitory source to upper levels of the auditory system.