I'm patching some neurons isolated from mouse DRGs to record low and high voltage-activated calcium currents. All the patched cells have a leakage current of at least -400 pA. I'm using the following solutions (in mM). Extracellular: TEA-Cl 135, BaCl2 10, MgCl2 1, HEPES 10, Glucose 10 (pH 7.3 w CsOH). Intracellular: CsCl 140, MgCl2 4, HEPES 10, EGTA-KOH 10, Na2ATP 2 (pH 7.2 w CsOH). All the solutions have adjusted osmolarity.

Is there a way to improve the leak? Maybe some extracellular calcium would improve the seal?