Figure 4

Behavioral effects of Vldlr overexpression. Adult (2 to 3 months) rats were used for all behavioral tests. (A,B) Open-field test. There was no significant difference between transgenic (Tg) and wild-type (Wt) rats in total distance moved (A) or time spent in the central area (B), n = 10 per genotype. (C,D) Locomotor activity in the home cage. Dark- (19:00 to 07:00) and light- (07:00 to 19:00) phase locomotor activity (C). Transgenic rats were significantly more active than Wt rats (P < 0.05, repeated measures ANOVA, n = 10 or 11 per genotype). Mean dark- and light-phase locomotor activity (D). Transgenic rats were significantly more active than Wt rats in both phases (* P < 0.05, unpaired Student’s t-test, n = 8 to 10 per genotype). (E) Radial maze test. Number of correct choices, among the first eight choices, during learning. Transgenic rats made fewer correct choices than Wt rats did (P = 0.091, repeated measures ANOVA, n = 8 per genotype). (F) Social interaction test. There was no significant difference between Tg and Wt rats for the total duration of contact. n = 10 per genotype. (G,H) Elevated plus maze test. There was no significant difference between Tg and Wt rats for the time spent in the closed arms (G) or the open arms (H). n = 10 per genotype. Error bars represent mean ± SEM.