Fig. 4

Longer induction protocols are needed to induce LTD in the nucleus accumbens core of female mice compared to male mice. While a shorter low-frequency stimulation protocol (1-Hz train of paired stimuli for 5 min) is sufficient to induce LTD in males, it does not induce LTD in females (A; n = 12/group). Change in fEPSP slope over 1-h post-LFS shows a significant blunting of LTD in females compared to males in this protocol (B; n = 12/group). In contrast, a longer low-frequency stimulation protocol (1-Hz train of paired stimuli for 10 min) is sufficient to induce LTD in both sexes (D; n = 20–22/group). There is no effect of sex on fEPSP slope over 1-h post-LFS in this protocol (E; n = 20–22/group). Representative pre- and post-LFS traces (C, F). **p < 0.01 effect of biological sex ^#p < 0.01 significant LTD