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Updated: Jul 20, 2026
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Reinstatement of Drug-seeking in Mice Using the Conditioned Place Preference Paradigm
Published on: June 7, 2018
Postretrieval propranolol disrupts a cocaine conditioned place preference.
Rick E Bernardi1, Kennon M Lattal, Stephen P Berger
1Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Portland, Oregon 97239, USA. bernardi@ohsu.edu
Neuroreport
|August 26, 2006
Summary
Propranolol administered after recalling a cocaine memory disrupted drug-seeking behavior in rats. This suggests propranolol can interfere with the reconsolidation of drug memories, potentially aiding addiction treatment.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Drug addiction is a significant public health concern.
- Understanding memory reconsolidation is crucial for developing effective addiction therapies.
- Beta-adrenergic signaling plays a role in memory processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if propranolol can disrupt cocaine-related memories.
- To examine the effects of post-retrieval propranolol administration on conditioned place preference.
- To determine if propranolol interferes with memory reconsolidation.
Main Methods:
- Rats underwent cocaine conditioning to establish a place preference.
- Following memory retrieval (preference test), rats received propranolol or saline.
- Subsequent tests assessed the conditioned place preference.
Main Results:
- Propranolol administration post-retrieval eliminated cocaine-associated place preference.
- Saline-treated rats maintained their preference for the cocaine-paired environment.
- Behavioral deficits were specific to the retrieval of the cocaine memory.
Conclusions:
- Post-retrieval propranolol administration disrupts cocaine-mediated drug-seeking behavior.
- This disruption is consistent with impaired memory reconsolidation.
- Propranolol shows potential for targeting drug memory reconsolidation in addiction treatment.
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