Analysis Tools
behavior/neurological
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• mutant mice exhibit increased escape-related behavior during handling, including vigorous running in the cage and jumping when the hand of the experimenter approaches
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• mutant mice spend less time in the central area in an open field test than controls, but there is no reduction in total locomotor activity
• there are no differences noted in the elevated plus maze test
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nervous system
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• in central amygdala (CeA) neurons from mutant mice, the density of calcium channel currents is significantly reduced at all voltages tested above -10 mV
• in central amygdala (CeA) neurons from mutant mice, the density of calcium channel currents was characterized by both simultaneous and successive applications of specific blockers; simultaneous application of the L-type calcium channel blocker (nifedifine), the N-type calcium channel blocker (omega-conotoxin- GVIA), and the P/Q-type calcium channel blocker (omega-agatoxin) resulted in a reduction of the total current density in mutant and control neurons; the calculated difference representing the R-type current density shows a decrease of 81% in mutants compared to controls; successive applications of these specific blockers gave similar results
• in central amygdala (CeA) neurons from mutant mice, the L-, N-, and P/Q-type calcium channel current densities remain unaffected and can be blocked similarly in mutant and control neurons
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