Figure 3.

Behavioral characterization of Gabrb3^ECKO mice. (a, b) Gabrb3^fl/fl (n = 11) and Gabrb3^ECKO (n = 10) mice were placed into the center of a locomotor activity chamber to assess spontaneous exploratory activity. Exploration time was for a total of 60 min. The mouse’s movements were tracked and recorded automatically. Total distance covered (a) as well as rearing events (b) were analyzed separately. Data represent mean ± SEM, *P < 0.05, ANOVA. (c) Gabrb3^fl/fl (n = 11) and Gabrb3^ECKO (n = 10) mice were tested in a Y maze to assess short term memory for a familiar and novel place. Mice were video recorded, and the time spent in the previously accessible arm (i.e., familiar arm) and the previously blocked arm (i.e., novel arm) was measured during the free choice trial. For each subject, the % distance exploring the novel arm during the free choice trial was calculated using the formula: % novel = novel/(novel + familiar time) × 100. Data represent mean ± SEM, *P < 0.05, ANOVA. (d) Gabrb3^fl/fl (n = 11) and Gabrb3^ECKO (n = 10) mice were given 110 trials of startle pulses of various intensities ranging from variable 20–120 dB. Startle responses for each stimulus intensity were averaged. (e) Percent inhibition of acoustic startle (120 dB) following three prepulse intensities (65, 75, or 85 dB) in Gabrb3^fl/fl (n = 11) and Gabrb3^ECKO (n = 10) mice are shown. Data represent mean ± SEM, *P < 0.05. (f) Locomotor activity of Gabrb3^fl/fl (n = 11) and Gabrb3^ECKO (n = 10) mice was measured for 4 days using CLAMS. Data are presented for the last 48 h (7 a.m.-7 p.m.) of the 4-day period. (g) The sum of the counts over the last two days from ‘f’ is quantified here. Data represent mean ± SEM, *P < 0.05, ANOVA.