Electrophysiological studies on the postnatal development of intracerebellar nuclei neurons in rat cerebellar slices maintained in vitro. II. Membrane conductances.

The development of membrane conductances of intracerebellar nuclei neurons was studied in the rat since birth up to the weaning period by the use of thick sagittal cerebellar slices maintained in vitro. Mature nuclear neurons express fast sodium and slowly inactivating sodium conductances, as well as calcium conductances. As early as birth, fast sodium and calcium conductances appear well developed whereas slowly inactivating sodium conductances mature within the first postnatal week.