Fig. 3.

α5 overexpression improves some forms of cognitive flexibility in the MAM model. The attentional set-shifting test (AST) was used to measure reversal learning and extradimensional set-shifting (ED), two forms of cognitive flexibility. The MAM-induced deficit in reversal learning was not affected by over-expressing the α5 subunit in the vHipp (a). Asterisk is a significant main effect compared to saline. The deficit in extradimensional set-shifting caused by MAM treatment is completely abolished by gene therapy to over-express the α5 subunit of the GABA_A receptor (b). Asterisk is significantly different than saline/control; +plus is significantly different than MAM/control. All stages of the AST are shown in c. SD is simple discrimination. CD is compound discrimination. R1 is the first reversal. IDS is intradimensional set-shift. R2 is the second reversal. EDS is the extradimensional set-shift. n = 5–7 rats per group. All data were analyzed using Two-Way ANOVA and Holm–Sidak tests. Data are shown as mean ± SEM