Referenced in: none

Automatically associated channels: Slo1

Title: Contribution of persistent sodium currents to the excitability of tonic firing substantia gelatinosa neurons of the rat.

Authors: Jin-Hwa Cho, In-Sun Choi, Seok-Ho Lee, Maan-Gee Lee, Il-Sung Jang

Journal, date & volume: Neurosci. Lett., 2015 Mar 30 , 591, 192-6

PubMed link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25703221

Abstract
The roles of persistent Na(+) currents (INaP) in intrinsic membrane properties were examined in rat substantia gelatinosa (SG) neurons of the trigeminal subnucleus caudalis using a conventional whole-cell patch clamp technique. In a voltage-clamp mode, riluzole inhibited the slow voltage ramp-induced INaP but had little effect on the peak amplitude of transient Na(+) currents in SG neurons. In a current-clamp mode, most SG neurons exhibited spontaneous action potentials and tonic firing pattern. Riluzole reduced both spontaneous and elicited action potentials in a concentration-dependent manner. The present results suggest that the riluzole-sensitive INaP plays an important role in the excitability of SG neurons and are thus, likely to contribute to the modulation of nociceptive transmission from the orofacial tissues.