Fig. 2

Optogenetic activation of excitatory neurons in the mPFC reduces radiation-induced anxiety-like behaviors and memory deficits. (A) Schematic of experimental procedures. AAVs were injected into the mPFC of mice 3 weeks before cranial irradiation. Optic fibers were implanted 1 week post irradiation and behavioral tests were performed 2 weeks post irradiation. (B) Illustrations of AAV injection strategy and a representative image of AAV-mediated mCherry expression and fiber implant position in the mPFC. (C-D) Representative images (C) and quantification of c-FOS positive neurons in the mPFC of the mCherry and ChR2 cohorts post irradiation (D, RAD + mCherry: n = 11; RAD + ChR2: n = 15). Scale bar: 100 μm. (E) Quantification of the grooming duration during light-off and light-on phases in the splash test (RAD + mCherry: n = 11; RAD + ChR2: n = 15). (F) Quantification of the total entries and the % Alteration in the Y maze test between groups (RAD + mCherry: n = 10; RAD + ChR2: n = 8). (G) Quantification of the total distance travelled, center distance travelled (as percentage of total moving distance), time spent in the center zone (as percentage of the total time) during light-off and light-on phases in the open field test (RAD + mCherry: n = 10; RAD + ChR2: n = 11; removed outliers: RAD + mCherry: n = 1, RAD + ChR2: n = 4). Similar amount of male and female mice was used for each group and the results were combined for statistical analysis. Data are presented as mean density ± s.e.m. and analyzed by Student’s t test (D, F) or two-way ANOVA with Fisher’s LSD post hoc test (E, G)