Beta-adrenergic receptor blockade by propranolol enhances retention in a multitrial passive-avoidance procedure.
The effect of beta-adrenergic receptor blockade on retention in a mildly aversive passive-avoidance procedure was investigated. Rats were given passive-avoidance training--1 trial per day for 4 days-and were administered saline, the centrally and peripherally acting beta-adrenergic blocker propranolol (4 or 10 mg/kg ip), or the peripherally acting beta-adrenergic blocker sotalol (4 or 10 mg/kg ip) immediately or 2 hr after the 1st trial. Enhanced retention occurred only with the higher dose (10 mg/kg) of propranolol and only when it was administered immediately after training. The enhanced retention produced by propranolol is discussed in terms of opposing, regionally specific actions of beta-adrenergic receptor-mediated neural circuits on modulation of memory.
Schneider
A M
AM
Department of Psychology, Swarthmore College, Pennsylvania 19081, USA. aschnei1@swarthmore.edu
Koven
N S
NS
Lombardo
K A
KA
Levin
D A
DA
Simson
P E
PE
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001362:Avoidance Learning / Q000187:drug effects*; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D008297:Male; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000187:drug effects; D011433:Propranolol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D020318:Rats, Long-Evans; D012153:Retention, Psychology / Q000187:drug effects*
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D011433:Propranolol