Figure 7

Behavioural characterization of adult CGE GluA2 KO and CGE GluA1-3 KO mice. (A) Group data show the explorative activity of control (black), CGE GluA2 KO (red), and CGE GluA1-3 KO (blue) mice in the whole field over 60 minutes, analysed and graphed at 5 min time segments. GluA2 KO (n = 9) vs WT (n = 7). Bar graphs represent explorative activity in the centre region over the first 5 min of the open field maze. CGE GluA2 KO mice show similar locomotor activity to WT. In contrast CGE GluA1-3 KO mice exhibit novelty induced hyperlocomotion in the first 10 minutes which then converges with WT activity during the next 50 minutes. These hyperactive GluA1-3 KO mice also avoid the centre of the open field maze during the first 5 min segment compared to control indicating a potential anxiety-like phenotype, p < 0.00002. (B) Group data show the learning curve (line graphs) for WT and KO mice to find the hidden platform in the Morris water maze (MWM) during 5 sequential days of learning together with the probe test (P). Bar graphs represent the time spent in the platform zone during the probe test. There is no behavioural difference between CGE GluA2 KO mice (n = 9) and WT (n = 5) during MWM. CGE GluA1-3 KO mice (n = 12) compared to WT (n = 13) show slower performance during the 5 days of training. (C) Group data showing the total time mice from each genotype spent interacting with a novel mouse vs an object (sociability) and interacting with a novel vs the familiar mouse (social novelty preference). All experimental (GluA2 KO, n = 9; GluA1-3 KO, n = 11) and control groups (n = 24) spent more time with a mouse of the same gender: GluA2 KO, p = 0.03; GluA1-3 KO, p = 0.058; WT, p = 0.00001. Compared to control both GluA2 and GluA1-3 KO mice did not spend significantly more time with a novel social interactor: GluA2 KO, p = 0.17; GluA1-3 KO, p = 0.41; WT, p = 0.004. *p < 0.05; **p < 0.005; ***p < 0.0005.