Figure 7.

Optogenetic stimulation of type I GAD65⁺ fungiform TBCs increases behavioral preference and lick rates in Na⁺-depleted mice. A, B, Preference scores (A) and lick rates (B) of WT, Ai32, and GAD65-ChR2-EYFP mice are dependent on whether mice were Na⁺ deplete or Na⁺ replete. As expected, Na⁺-depleted mice show a robust preference for 0.3 m NaCl versus H₂O that is similar to preference scores for optogenetic stimulation of GAD65⁺ TBCs in response to illuminated H₂O versus H₂O. Ai32 mice are indifferent to light while Na⁺ deplete. All animal strains are indifferent when Na⁺ replete. Asterisks indicate significant differences (following Benjamini–Hochberg adjustment) between Na⁺ deplete and Na⁺ replete conditions. †Differences in lick rates between NaCl or illuminated H₂O and H₂O.