Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings from respiratory neurons in neonatal rat brainstem in vitro.

Whole-cell recordings were obtained from respiratory neurons by applying patch-clamp techniques in the en bloc medulla of in vitro neonatal rat brainstem-spinal cord preparations. Stable voltage-clamp recordings of excitatory or inhibitory synaptic drive currents and current-clamp recordings of spike discharge of inspiratory and expiratory neurons could be maintained for periods of 1-2 h. Parameters of whole-cell recording, including membrane seal resistances and series resistances, obtained in the en bloc medulla were similar to those obtained in corresponding regions of thin slices where neurons were directly visualized to optimize conditions for whole-cell patch clamp.