title: A double blind, placebo-controlled study of the effects of post-retrieval propranolol on reconsolidation of memory for craving and cue reactivity in cocaine dependent humans.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study examined the effects of propranolol vs. placebo, administered immediately after a "retrieval" session of cocaine cue exposure (CCE), on craving and physiological responses occurring 24 h later during a subsequent "test" session of CCE. It was hypothesized that compared to placebo-treated cocaine-dependent (CD) individuals, propranolol-treated CD individuals would evidence attenuated craving and physiological reactivity during the test session. Secondarily, it was expected that group differences identified in the test session would be evident at a 1-week follow-up CCE session. Exploratory analyses of treatment effects on cocaine use were also performed at follow-up.
  
  
  METHODS
  CD participants received either 40 mg propranolol or placebo immediately following a "retrieval" CCE session. The next day, participants received a "test" session of CCE that was identical to the "retrieval" session except no medication was administered. Participants underwent a "follow-up" CCE session 1 week later. Craving and other reactivity measures were obtained at multiple time points during the CCE sessions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Propranolol- vs. placebo-treated participants evidenced significantly greater attenuation of craving and cardiovascular reactivity during the test session. Analysis of the follow-up CCE session data did not reveal any group differences. Although there was no evidence of treatment effects on cocaine use during follow-up, this study was insufficiently powered to rigorously evaluate differential cocaine use.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This double-blind, placebo-controlled laboratory study provides the first evidence that propranolol administration following CCE may modulate memories for learning processes that subserve cocaine craving/cue reactivity in CD humans. Alternative interpretations of the findings were considered, and implications of the results for treatment were noted.
authors: Department of Health Sciences and Research, Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), Charleston, SC, USA. saladinm@musc.edu
authors: Michael E
authors: ME
authors: Saladin
authors: Kevin M
authors: KM
authors: Gray
authors: Aimee L
authors: AL
authors: McRae-Clark
authors: Steven D
authors: SD
authors: Larowe
authors: Sharon D
authors: SD
authors: Yeatts
authors: Nathaniel L
authors: NL
authors: Baker
authors: Karen J
authors: KJ
authors: Hartwell
authors: Kathleen T
authors: KT
authors: Brady
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000328:Adult; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D003463:Cues; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects*; D011433:Propranolol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D011433:Propranolol