Figure 7. Membrane depolarization prevents the actions of Flu on GABA_A receptor deactivation.

A, pooled, normalized current traces from 4 experiments in which responses to 5 ms applications of 1 mM GABA were recorded at −70 and +50 mV in the presence (Flu) and absence (Control) of 1 μM flunitrazepam (Flu). Note how the benzodiazepine slows deactivation at −70 mV but not +50 mV. Prior to inclusion in the overall mean, each trace was normalized to its peak current amplitude. B, a plot showing the effects of membrane potential on the deactivation of the control current traces shown in A. Note the very similar degree of slowing of deactivation produced by either depolarization to +50 mV or Flu application at −70 mV.