5 cm. The relative number of animals that made at least one successful jump over the gap increased over time in both groups (chi-square test, P < 0.05), suggesting that on average animals in both groups were as likely to perform in the task. In the testing paradigm used, there were thus no detectable differences in the ability of the animals to perform

the task (defined as the increased average gap distance crossed with increased number of training sessions) or the average maximum gap distance achieved at the final day of training. Next, we analyzed whether there was a difference in the behavioral strategy and whisker movements between animals in the different groups. Different Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical behavioral strategies to solve the gap-crossing task To investigate the Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical behavioral strategy the animals

use to solve the gap-crossing task, we analyzed how many times they approach the gap and the duration that the animals spend exploring the gap. This measure is used to assess how actively the animals explore the gap. The rationale behind these measurements is that the time that the animal spends exploring the gap before crossing reflects the time for the sensory processing necessary to make a decision. The number of attempts made can be both an index of the general Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical locomotor activity (not only related to solving the gap-crossing task), but also more specifically to the Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical animal’s behavioral strategy to solve the gap-crossing task. The total number of attempts (including both failures and successes) and the total duration of all attempts were similar for both groups up to gap distances of 5 cm (Figs. 3 and S1), but the animal groups clearly deviated at 5.5 cm. At gap distances of 5.5 cm, the P0 group made relatively more attempts

(5.1 ± 0.5, n [animals] = 12) to cross the gap as compared with the control (3.4 ± 0.6.3, n = 10; unpaired t-test, P = 0.04). The Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical average number of successful attempts on a given day (average range: 3–7) was, however, the same for both groups (unpaired t-test, P > 0.05). The increased total number of attempts in the P0 group thus means that these animals approach the gap many times without actually jumping. The duration spent exploring the gap was at the longest gap distance (5.5 cm) shorter (unpaired t-test, P = 0.048) for Histone demethylase the P0 group (1.5 ± 0.2, n [animals] = 12) compared with control animals (2.3 ± 0.4, n = 10). Figure 3 Sensory exploration strategy is affected by sensory deprivation. (A) P0 animals made more attempts to jump over the gap in comparison with control animals. The differences are find more significant at a gap distance of 5.5 cm, which is the distance where the animals … The similarities between the groups at gap-cross distances up to 5 cm are likely due to the fact that the animals, in addition to using their whiskers to explore the target platform, can also use their nose to touch the platform (Hutson and Masterton 1986).