Figure 2.

The effect of the predator scent stress (PSS) paradigm on overall anxiety-like behavior and startle response: Three-dimensional parameters: The X-axis represents time spent in the open arms (min), the Y-axis represents acoustic startle amplitude, and the Z-axis—total exploration on the maze. The stress response was not homogeneous, and several subgroups were identifiable in the population. Circles (purple) represent the exposed group that exhibited a significant degree of anxiety-like and avoidant behaviors on the elevated plus-maze and a pattern of exaggerated startle responses with significantly reduced habituation 7 days after exposure (PTSD-like phenotype). Triangles (green) represent the exposed group that exhibited partial behavioral response patterns. Squares (gray) represent the exposed group that exhibited minimal behavioral disrupted. Diamonds (blue) represent the un-exposed control group.