Extended Data Fig. 4. Learning and memory encoding unimpaired, but cognitive flexibility is compromised, in the FIREΔ/Δ mouse.
a) Training phase of Barnes maze: mice learn to locate Target hole 1 (orange) with underlying escape chamber in spatial learning and memory retrieval trials. Mice tested were 2–4 months of age, with a median age of 119 days old (FIRE+/+) and 120 days old (FIREΔ/Δ). b) Mean primary latency (sec) ± s.e.m. over 6 training days. n = 13 FIRE+/+ mice and 10 FIREΔ/Δ. Non-significant between genotypes across all training days, Day 1: **P = 0.0011; Day 2: P = 0.9787; Day 3: P = 0.9627; Day 4: P = 0.9574; Day 5: P = 0.9990; Day 6: P > 0.9999, Repeated measures 2-way ANOVA with Sidak’s multiple comparisons test. c) Mean primary errors ± s.e.m. during training phase. n = 13 FIRE+/+ mice and 10 FIREΔ/Δ mice. Non-significant, Day 1: P = 0.9649; Day 2: P = 0.5968; Day 3: P = 0.8884; Day 4: P = 0.6028; Day 5: P = 0.9215; Day 6: P = 0.9437, Repeated measures 2-way ANOVA with Sidak’s multiple comparisons test. d) Mean percentage of time spent in the target quadrant± s.e.m., n = 13 FIRE+/+ and 10 FIREΔ/Δ. Dotted line indicates 25% chance. Non-significant between genotypes, 1hr: P = 0.7337; 3d: P > 0.9999, 2-way ANOVA with Sidak’s multiple comparisons test. e) Mean number of nose pokes into holes during 1hr probe test ± s.e.m., n = 13 FIRE+/+mice and 9 FIREΔ/Δ mice. Target **P = 0.0019, 2-way ANOVA with Sidak’s multiple comparisons test. f) Mean number of nose pokes into holes during 3d probe test ± s.e.m., n = 13 FIRE+/+mice and 9 FIREΔ/Δ mice. Non-significant, P = 0.9329, 2-way ANOVA with Sidak’s multiple comparisons test. g) Reversal phase: Target hole 2 (blue) is 180° from the original target; mice require cognitive flexibility to adapt to the new target. h) Mean primary latency (sec) ± s.e.m. over 3 training days. n = 13 FIRE+/+ and 9 FIREΔ/Δ. Non-significant across all training days between genotypes, Day 1: P = 0.9999; Day 2: P = 0.5186; Day 3: P = 0.9622, Repeated measures 2-way ANOVA with Sidak’s multiple comparisons test. i) Mean primary errors ± s.e.m. during reversal days. n = 13 FIRE+/+ and 9 FIREΔ/Δ. Day 1: *P = 0.0488, Day 2: *P = 0.0142, Day 3: P = 0.6727, Repeated measures 2-way ANOVA with Sidak’s multiple comparisons test. j) Mean percentage of time spent in the target quadrant during reversal probe test ± s.e.m. n = 13 FIRE+/+ mice and 9 FIREΔ/Δ mice. Dotted line indicates 25% chance. Non-significant, P = 0.6933, 2-tailed unpaired Student’s t-test. k) Mean number of nose pokes into holes during reversal probe test ± s.e.m. n = 13 FIRE+/+ mice and 9 FIREΔ/Δ mice. Non-significant P = 0.9657, 2-way ANOVA with Sidak’s multiple comparisons test. l) Schematic of Open Field test. m) Total distance travelled (m) during 10-min Open Field test ± s.e.m. n = 37 mice: n = 15 FIRE+/+ mice (7 young, 8 middle-aged); n = 22 FIREΔ/Δ mice (12 young, 10 middle-aged). Young mice = 4–8 weeks of age, Middle aged mice = 11–13 months of age. Non-significant, Young: P = 0.9997; Middle-aged: P > 0.999, 2-way ANOVA. n) Percentage (%) of time spent in the centre of the arena during Open Field test ± s.e.m. n = 37 mice: n = 15 FIRE+/+ mice (7 young, 8 middle-aged); n = 22 FIREΔ/Δ mice (12 young, 10 middle-aged). Young mice = 4–8 weeks of age, Middle aged mice = 11–13 months of age. Non-significant, Young: P = 0.7899; Middle-aged: P > 0.9995, 2-way ANOVA. o) Mean distance travelled (m) during training days ± s.e.m. n = 13 FIRE+/+ mice and 9 FIREΔ/Δ mice. Non-significant, P = 0.9607, >0.9999, >0.9999, 0.9955, 0.6583, 0.6034, Repeated measures 2-way ANOVA with Sidak’s multiple comparisons test. p) Mean distance travelled (m) during reversal days ± s.e.m. n = 13 FIRE+/+ mice and 9 FIREΔ/Δ mice. Non-significant, P = 0.7856, 0.9784, 0.8626, Repeated measures 2-way ANOVA with Sidak’s multiple comparisons test. q) Mean speed (m/s) during training days ± s.e.m. n = 13 FIRE+/+ mice and 9 FIREΔ/Δ mice. Non-significant, P = 0.9998, >0.9999, 0.6667, 0.9995, 0.9831, 0.9995, Repeated measures 2-way ANOVA with Sidak’s multiple comparisons test. r) Mean speed (m/s) during reversal days ± s.e.m. n = 13 FIRE+/+ mice and 9 FIREΔ/Δ mice. Non-significant, P = > 0.9999, 0.9940, 0.1561, Repeated measures 2-way ANOVA with Sidak’s multiple comparisons test.