Fig. 3
From: Cognitive and emotional alterations in App knock-in mouse models of Aβ amyloidosis
Spatial learning and memory in AppNL-G-F/NL-G-F and AppNL/NL mice assessed by the Barnes maze task. Spatial learning and memory were assessed at 4 (b–f), 6 (g–k), and 8 (i–p) months of age. In the acquisition phase (a [left]), one hole (indicated by a gray hole) was designated as the target hole with an escape box. A probe test was performed 1 day after the last training session, in which the escape box was removed (a [middle]). The three black arrows indicate the target hole and adjacent holes, respectively. In the reversal phase (a [right]), the target hole was moved to the position opposite the original 1 day after the probe test. TQ: target quadrant; OQ: opposite quadrant; RQ: right quadrant; LQ: left quadrant. At 4 and 6 months of age, AppNL-G-F/NL-G-F and AppNL/NL mice performed as well as WT mice in acquisition of the target hole, as revealed by similar decreases in the number of errors (b and g), latency (c and h), and distance (d and i) across the acquisition phase. In the probe test, all genotypes exhibited similar levels of preference toward the target quadrant (TQ) above chance level (25%, as indicated by dotted lines) (e and j) and similar levels of exploration of the holes in the target quadrant (f [left] and k [left]) with no differences in exploratory activity (f [right] and k [right]). At 8 months of age, AppNL-G-F/NL-G-F mice made more errors (l), took more time (m), and travelled farther (n) to reach the target hole than WT mice throughout the acquisition phase. In the probe test, WT and AppNL/NL mice exhibited significant preference toward the target quadrant (TQ) above chance level (25%, as indicated by dotted lines) (o). All genotypes exhibited similar levels of exploration of the holes in the target quadrant (p [left]), with no alterations in general activity (p [right]). 4 month-old; n = 8 WT (B6J), n = 8 AppNL/NL, n = 7 AppNL-G-F/NL-G-F. 6 month-old; n = 8 WT (B6J), n = 8 AppNL/NL, n = 7 AppNL-G-F/NL-G-F. 8 month-old; n = 8 WT (B6J), n = 7 AppNL/NL, n = 6 AppNL-G-F/NL-G-F. ♯♯p < 0.01, ♯♯♯p < 0.001 versus chance level