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Updated: Aug 9, 2026

Disrupting Reconsolidation of Fear Memory in Humans by a Noradrenergic β-Blocker
Published on: December 18, 2014
Beta-adrenoceptor mediated inhibition of long-term reward-related memory reconsolidation
Leontien Diergaarde1, Anton N M Schoffelmeer, Taco J De Vries
1Research Institute Neurosciences Vrije Universiteit, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Department of Anatomy and Neurosciences, VU Medical Center, Van der Boechorststraat 7, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands. l.diergaarde@vumc.nl
Abstract:
Well-consolidated fear-related memories, once retrieved, are susceptible to disruption and require reconsolidation in order to be maintained. We examined whether reactivated reward-related memories are also susceptible to interference by evaluating the effect of propranolol (PROP), a beta-adrenergic antagonist known to impair reconsolidation of fear-related memories, on context-induced sucrose seeking. PROP administration upon reactivation reduced sucrose seeking behaviour 3 weeks post-training, indicating that reconsolidation of reward-related memories can be disrupted after a long post-training interval.
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