To compare maturation changes in gene expression across adolescent to young adulthood (P38-P88) to a similar period, (i.e., 50 days across young adulthood), we also investigated neurotransmitter gene changes between P98 to P148. There was a significant main effect of age on gene expression between P98 and P148 (Figure 2B; average reduction of 33%, 2-Way ANOVA: p<0.0001, F=109.8). Using t-tests, 11 genes showed continuing developmental reductions, mostly peptide receptors, muscarinic cholinergic receptors and GABAA subunits (Table 2, Figure 2B; t-test *p<0.05), with four genes reaching statistical significance following Bonferroni post-tests: GABAR α4, GAD1, Galantin receptor 1, Prokineticin receptor 2, and Neuropeptide FF receptor 2 (Table 2). Linear plots of gene expression show different patterns of gene expression across all the genes in the array during the two different developmental time periods (Figure 2A and 2B). Following adolescent control treatment, adolescent maturation (P38-P88) shows a dark band of many genes with reductions greater than 60% (Figure 2A; overall average reduction of 56%), whereas young adult maturation (P98-P148) shows less robust declines (Figure 2B; overall average reduction of 33%).
