Fig. 7

Optoactivating MS-CA1 cholinergic inputs at theta rhythm during critical consolidation time-window improves spatial memory in MS-ChAT-hTau mice. A, B Experiment diagram. In MS-ChAT-hTau mice, MS-CA1 cholinergic inputs was photoactivated with or without CA1 administration of acetylcholine receptor inhibitors. C Nissl staining confirmed the canula position in bilateral CA1. D During spatial training, no difference of escape latency was observed among groups (two–way ANOVA group × days, escape latency: F [9, 168] = 0.3797, P = 0.9436). E Optoactivation of MS-CA1 cholinergic inputs significantly decreased latency (E one–way ANOVA group, F [3, 42] = 6.404, P < 0.01) and increased correct pokes (F One–way ANOVA group, F [3, 42] = 6.422, P < 0.01) and time in the target (G One–way ANOVA group, F [3, 42] = 4.715 P < 0.01) in MS-ChAT-hTau mice. E–G The improvements were abolished when acetylcholine receptor inhibitors were injected into CA1 30 min before photostimulation. H No difference in moved distance was detected among the groups (H One–way ANOVA group, F [3, 42] = 0.2523, P > 0.05). *P < 0.05 vs Veh + Light off, **P < 0.01 vs Veh + Light off, ^#P < 0.05, ^##P < 0.01 vs: Veh + Light on. N = 10–13 mice per group. Data were presented as mean ± SEM