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. 2022 Jan 13;13:788519. doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.788519

FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 1

BCAS causes a decline in spatial learning acquisition and cognitive flexibility. Spatial learning and memory and cognitive flexibility were assessed using a Barnes maze at 3 months post-BCAS in WT and Tg-SwDI mice. (A) In the acquisition phase one hole (indicated by green) was designated as the target hole with an escape box. A probe test was performed 72 h after the last acquisition training session, in which the escape box was removed. In the reversal phase, the target hole was moved 180 degrees to the original target hole. 1 day after the probe test. A reversal probe test was performed 72 h after the last training session. (B) Motor ability assessment in acquisition training. The speed or velocity was measured at the outset to assess whether motor function was affected by the genotype or surgery across different groups. There was a significant effect of genotype between WT and Tg-SwDI mice. Post hoc tests showed significant difference between WT BCAS and Tg-SwDI BCAS mice at day 1 (**p < 0.01), 3, 4 and 5 (*p < 0.05), respectively. (C) Spatial learning was assessed by comparing escape latency over 6 days with 2 sessions per day. There was a significant effect of BCAS surgery but not genotype across groups. Post hoc tests showed significant effect of BCAS in WT at day 5, 6 (*p < 0.05) and in Tg-SwDI at day 2 (#p < 0.05) compared to their sham counterparts. (D) Pathlength measure was also used to evaluate spatial learning function. There was a significant effect of BCAS surgery but not genotype across groups. Post hoc tests showed significant effect of BCAS in WT mice when compared to their sham counterparts at day 1, 2, 5 (*p < 0.05) and 6 (**p < 0.01). (E) In the acquisition 72 h probe test all mice performed above chance except WT BCAS mice (one sample t-test). No significant effect of BCAS and genotype were detected (Two-way ANOVA). To enhance the detection of spatial learning ability, reversal trials were taken to evaluate the ability of mice to learn a new location using Barnes maze (F–H). In the reversal tests, spatial learning was assessed by comparing escape latency and pathlength over 3 days with 2 sessions per day training across all groups. (F) There was a significant effect of BCAS surgery but not genotype by comparing escape latency. Post hoc tests showed significant effect of BCAS in WT mice when compared to their sham counterparts at day 2 (*p < 0.05). (G) By comparing the pathlength in the test, there was a significant effect of BCAS surgery but not genotype. Post hoc tests showed significant effect of BCAS in WT mice when compared to their sham counterparts at day 2 (p < 0.05). (H) In the reversal probe test only WT sham mice performed above chance (one sample t-test). There was no significant effect of either genotype or surgery on the percentage time spent in the correct quadrant (Two-way ANOVA). Data are mean ± SEM, n = 6–10 per group.