HIPPOCAMPAL SLICES FROM PRION PROTEIN NULL MICE - DISRUPTED CA2-ACTIVATED K+ CURRENTS()

The intrinsic properties of hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells were exami ned in mice lacking prion protein (PrP-null). The resting potentials, time constants, amplitude of the medium afterhyperpolarization (AHP) a nd spike firing accommodation did not differ from the control group. T he PrP-null group differed in having lower input resistances, a lack o f the late AHP and of a charybdotoxin-sensitive summated AHP. We propo se that Ca2+-activated K+ currents, in particular I-AHP, are disrupted in PrP-null mice.