Fig. 5. Chemogenetic inhibition of Insula^Ins neurons during the three-chamber social interaction test does not block social preference.

a Experimental design. b Histological control showing an example of AAV8-hSyn-DIO-HA-hM4D(GI)-IRES-mCitrine injection site in the Insula coupled with rAAV2-CAG-cre injection in the Insula contralateral and the CeA (low magnification, scale: 500 µm, high magnification, scale: 50 µm). c, e, g Quantification of the time spent around the object and social enclosures in the three-chamber test in Insula control and Insula hM4Di male and female mice in group-housed (b), 24 h isolated (e), and 2 weeks isolated mice (g). d, f, h Social preference ratio in the control group and caspase group in group-housed mice (d) or 24 h isolated (f) or 2 weeks isolated mice (h). i, j Quantification of the total distance travelled (i) and the time spent in the center of the open field (j) in control and hM4Di male and female mice. k, l Quantification of the time spent (k) and the number of entries (l) in the open arms of the elevated plus maze in both groups. (white circle: female, dark circle: male). Numbers in the histogram bars indicate the number of mice. Data are presented as mean values ± SEM.