Figure 1. Effects of valproate.
A, presteady-state currents elicited by voltage steps from Vh = −40 mV (range −120 to +40 mV in 40 mV steps) in control and 50 mm valproate solutions in the same representative oocyte. B, the charge versus voltage relationship is shifted in the positive direction with V½ moving from −44 ± 1 mV in gluconate solution to −35 ± 1 mV in valproate; Qmax is not significantly affected. C, the rate of decay is greatly increased by valproate (○) compared with control (□). D, the unidirectional rate constants calculated as α = r(1 – Qin/Qmax) and β =−rQin/Qmax, are asymmetrically increased in the presence of valproate, with inward rate (β) increased more than outward rate (α). Data are means ± s.e.m. from 4 oocytes (same batch).