Voltage-dependent calcium currents in trigeminal chick neurons

Abstract

The presence of action potentials, when sodium and potassium currents were blocked, has been investigated in trigeminal ganglion neurons, using the patch-clamp technique. In this conditions, inward currents, sensitive to the external application of cadmium, were detected. Activation and inactivation properties were investigated, as well as the behaviour of the current in the presence of extracellular Barium. The properties of these inward currents in trigeminal neurons are correlated to high threshold voltage-dependent calcium channels.