A preparation of cells isolated from the medial and dorsal nuclei of the solitary tract of the medulla of adult guinea pigs was developed to examine the electrical properties of neurons isolated from an area of the central nervous system which is involved in the control of arterial pressure and heart rate. Bipolar cells of approximately 10 microns diameter were obtained on enzymatic dispersion. The cells were studied with the use of the patch technique for whole cell recording. Action potentials were elicited by depolarizing pulses in the presence of 10(-5) M tetrodotoxin which blocked a sodium-dependent current. These action potentials were calcium dependent and were eliminated by adding 1 mM Cd to the bath. In all cells studied, two voltage-dependent components to the calcium current were identified. In 10 mM Ca a high-threshold component activated at approximately -20 mV from holding potentials of -30 mV. A second lower threshold component was activated at -40 mV from more negative holding potentials of -80 mV. The low-threshold component was rapidly inactivating, whereas the high-threshold current slowly inactivated. The peak amplitudes of the two components were similar. Both components were blocked by 1 mM Cd. A role for the low-threshold calcium current in generating repetitive activity is postulated.