Fig. 4

The effect of ASK1 cKO on cognitive functions after KA injection. A The Y maze test was performed to detect working memory function. Representative track chart of Y maze test. B–D Quantification of the alternation rate (B), the total travelled distance (C), and the total number of arm entries (D). E, F The water maze test was conducted to explore the learning ability. Representative swim paths (E), and latency to find the hidden platform (F). G–I The water maze test was conducted to explore the cognition. Representative track chart of the probe test was displayed (G), quantification of the numbers of platform crossings H and time spent in the goal quadrant (I). All data are expressed as the mean ± SD. ***p < 0.001, *p < 0.05, ^##p < 0.01, ns no significance, as indicated. n = 8 in the WT sham or cKO sham groups, n = 12 in the WT KA or cKO KA groups. p values are based on the one way ANOVA (B–D), two way ANOVA (F), Student’s t test (H, I)