Time-dependent changes in input resistance of rat hypoglossal motoneurons associated with whole-cell recording.

The effect of cellular dialysis associated with whole-cell recording was studied in 24 developing hypoglossal motoneurons in a rat brainstem slice preparation. In all cases, establishing whole-cell continuity with the electrode solution resulted in an increase in the input resistance measured in current clamp. The mean magnitude of this increase was 39.7% and the time course of the maximum effect was quite variable. There was no correlation found between the time to maximum effect and the magnitude of the increase in resistance. These data indicate that the passive membrane properties are not constant during whole-cell recording in mammalian motoneurons.