Figure 2. Optogenetic dSC stimulation is not associated with anxiety‐like behaviours or ultrasonic vocalisation.

The presence of anxiety‐like behaviours was assayed immediately after optical cl‐dSC stimulation using the open field (OF, A1) or elevated plus maze (EPM, A2) apparatus: no significant difference was detected between rats treated with ChR2 or control vectors. Similarly, no effects on the incidence of low‐ or high‐frequency ultrasonic vocalizations were detected while exploring the EPM (B1 and B2). [Colour figure can be viewed at wileyonlinelibrary.com]