Central but not peripheral beta-adrenergic antagonism blocks reconsolidation for a morphine place preference.
Blocking the process of memory reconsolidation by means of amnestic agents may prove to have therapeutic applications. Here we used a morphine-induced conditioned place preference as an index of drug seeking. After inducing in rats a preference for a distinctive compartment paired with morphine, the memory for drug experience was reactivated by a 20-min test session and saline, the beta-antagonist propranolol, or the peripherally acting beta-antagonist nadolol were administered. Animals which received saline or nadolol upon reactivation, or propanolol without memory reactivation, maintained their preference for the drug-paired compartment 24h and seven days later. However, animals that received propranolol upon reactivation no longer displayed a morphine preference on either test, although these animals once again expressed a preference when given a morphine-primed retest at 10 days. Our results suggest that beta-blockers may have potential for attenuating the impact of cue-induced craving which is a major cause of relapse in detoxified addicts.
Robinson
M J F
MJ
Department of Psychology, McGill University, 1205 Dr. Penfield Avenue Montreal, Quebec, H3A 1B1, Canada.
Franklin
K B J
KB
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D003216:Conditioning, Operant / Q000187:drug effects*; D003463:Cues; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004333:Drug Administration Routes; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects*; D009020:Morphine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009248:Nadolol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009294:Narcotics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011433:Propranolol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D051381:Rats; D020318:Rats, Long-Evans
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D009294:Narcotics; D009248:Nadolol; D009020:Morphine; D011433:Propranolol