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.