Figure 2.

MSN excitability is not affected by nicotine. Current-clamp recordings showed no significant effect on MSN membrane properties or AP firing in response to nicotine exposure. A, The membrane capacitance from the recorded cells (n = 16) corresponded well with values previously reported for MSNs. B, C, Ten minutes administration of nicotine (1 μm) did not significantly modulate membrane voltage or I–V relationship compared with baseline. D, The threshold for AP firing was not modulated by nicotine administration. E, Representative traces of current-clamp recordings at baseline and following 10 min of nicotine exposure. Calibration: 20 mV, 10 ms. F–H, Administration of nicotine did furthermore not influence Rheobase, AP latency, or AP frequency. Data are mean ± SEM, and based on 16 cells taken from rats from at least three different litters.