Fig. 3

EGF prevents cognitive deficits in E4FADF mice. a Experimental design for EGF prevention paradigm in E4FADF mice. EP, end-point; MP, mid-point; EP, end-point; OF, open field; SA, spontaneous alternation; NOR, novel object recognition; NAE, novel arm entry; LD, light-dark box; MWM-VC, Morris water maze visual cue phase; MWM-AP, Morris water maze acquisition phase; MWM-PT; Morris water maze probe trial. b–d EGF prevents cognitive decline when assessed by NOR, SA and NAE. Dashed line represents no preference (novel object) or chance alternation (spontaneous alternation). e EGF treatment improves performance in the Morris water maze test (EP). Representative track plots of probe trial is based on latency to previous platform area. f Synaptophysin levels are the same in EGF and VC treated mice when assessed by western blot analysis. g PSD-95 levels are higher in EGF treated E4FADF mice (western blot analysis). h Body weight decreased at 4 weeks but remained constant until 10 weeks with EGF treatment. i–k EGF treatment did not modulate performance in open field, had no effects on food intake (over 24 hrs at EP) and did not change performance in the light-dark box test. l, m EGF treated mice had higher plasma but not brain levels of EGF (ELISA). n There were no changes in EGF receptor levels in the cortex or hippocampus after EGF treatment (western blot). n = 8 per group for a–m and n = 6 for n. Data expressed as mean +/− S.E.M. *p < 0.05 by 2-way ANOVA and Sidak’s post-hoc analysis (B-E, G and H). *p < 0.05 by Students t test (E probe trial, F, I-K)