Electrophysiological characterization of the M-current in rat hypoglossal motoneurons.

•Hypoglossal motoneuron currents deactivated slowly from depolarized potential consistent with M-current properties.•M-current was distinguished from Ih, suppressed by muscarine and selectively blocked by linopirdine.•M-current slowed down firing without altering afterhyperpolarization.•M-current may be a target for pharmacological manipulation of pathological firing.