Fig. 2.

A, B, The effects (mean ± SEM; n = 14–20) of vehicle, the α₂-antagonist atipamezole (Ati), and the α₂-subtype-nonselective agonist dexmedetomidine (Dex) on startle responses without prepulses (A) and prepulse inhibition (PPI) (B) in mice overexpressing the α_2C-ARs (filled bars) and their wild-type controls (open bars). Two-way ANOVA revealed significant genotype × dose interactions between doses of Ati 100 and vehicle and Dex 3.0 and vehicle; these are indicated as † (p < 0.05). The difference in PPI between vehicle-treated α_2C-OE and α_2C-OE-wt mice was also significant, which is indicated as ** (Z = 2.9; p = 0.0035; Mann–Whitney Utest).