Figure 4: Impaired spatial memory in Vilse^Δ/Δ mice.

(a) Individual mouse in control and Vilse^Δ/Δ groups was placed in a water maze and allowed to swim to the hidden platform four times a day for five days. The cutoff time was 90 seconds. Swimming path and time spent in quadrants of the water pool were recorded and the latency to locate the platform was averaged and analyzed in each day. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001 by student’s t-test. (n = 18; 6 males, 12 females). (b) In Y-maze test, each mouse was placed at the end of one arm and allowed to move freely through the maze during an 8-min session. Comparison of spontaneous alternation between control and Vilse^Δ/Δ mice in Y-maze test was performed. Columns represent the mean ± S.E.M, n = 7 mice for each genotype, **p < 0.01, unpaired t-test. (c) Passive avoidance test. Mice were placed into the light side of the chamber and the latency to enter the dark side was measured. A mild foot shock is delivered upon entry to the dark side of the chamber. Memory of passive avoidance was assessed at 24 h and 48 h (n = 7). n.s., not significant.