Single-channel and whole-cell currents in rat cerebellar granule cells.

The patch-clamp technique was used to study both whole-cell and single-channel currents in cultured rat cerebellar granule cells. In whole-cell recordings under voltage-clamp conditions 3 types of current were found; a transient inward sodium current and a transient and a sustained outward potassium current. Single-channel currents were recorded from both inside-out and outside-out membrane patches. Three types of potassium channel were identified; two non-inactivating channels with unit conductances of 160 and 60 pS and one inactivating channel of 20 pS. No calcium currents were detected.