Fig. 5

Increased excitability of LC neurons. a, b Typical recordings of spontaneous firing activity in WT and Mecp2 ^−/Y rat LC neurons. c In Mecp2 ^−/Y rats, LC neurons showed a significant increase in firing frequency in comparison to the WT. d The ratio of increased spontaneous firing rate, however, was similar between rats and mice. e, f No significant differences were found in membrane potential and resistance between WT and Mecp2 ^−/Y rats, which was similar as in the mice model. g, h In comparison to the WT, Mecp2 ^−/Y rats showed more hyperpolarized threshold of the action potential in LC neurons, whereas the amplitude was not altered. Similar results were found in the mouse model (**P < 0.01,*P < 0.05; Student’s t test)