behavior/neurological
N |
• homozygotes displayed no differences in generalized locomotor activity relative to wild-type
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• homozygotes showed an 85% reduction in immobility in the tail-suspension test, indicating a significant antidepressant-like response
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• in the open field, homozygotes showed a significant reduction in exploration of the central area, and remained in close proximity to the walls of the enclosure
• homozygotes displayed fewer head dips, an exploratory behavior believed to inversely correlate with anxiety state
• homozygotes showed increased avoidance of a novel object, manifested as elevated latencies to approach the object, diminished frequency of approach, and increased time spent in the nest area
• phenotype differences among females were less pronounced, but similar to males
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• consistent with an increase in anxiety, homozygotes displayed reduced time and activity in the open quadrants of the elevated-zero maze
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nervous system
N |
• analysis of brain weights and Nissl-stained sections indicated normal brain morphology
• immunocytochemical analysis of serotonergic cell bodies and fibers indicated normal serotonin system development
• brain serotonin and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) content were normal relative to wild-type
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