Figure 7. Behavioural tests.

A. Open field tests show the accumulated distances moved over 20 min at P28 and P60. B. The irradiated rats were more active than the controls. Lithium treatment normalized the motor activity. C. Accumulated time spent in the open central zone in a 20-min open field test. The irradiated rats spent more time in the open central zone at P28 compare to non-irradiated controls. Lithium treatment reduced time spent in the open central zone in the irradiated rats at P60. D. The novel object recognition test showed that irradiation prevented recognition development and that lithium treatment normalized the irradiation-induced recognition deficit. n = 14 for control vehicle, n = 16 for control lithium, n = 16 for irradiation vehicle, and n = 18 for irradiation lithium. * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001.