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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 20, 2026

Assessment of Cocaine-induced Behavioral Sensitization and Conditioned Place Preference in Mice

Assessment of Cocaine-induced Behavioral Sensitization and Conditioned Place Preference in Mice

Published on: February 18, 2016

Post-conditioning propranolol disrupts cocaine sensitization.

Rick E Bernardi¹, K Matthew Lattal

¹Oregon Health & Science University, Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, L470, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd., Portland, OR 97239, United States. rick.bernardi@zi-mannheim.de

Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior

|July 4, 2012

Summary

Beta-adrenergic receptor antagonists like propranolol impair cocaine sensitization in rats. This memory effect was observed only in animals initially sensitive to cocaine

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Assessment of Cocaine-induced Behavioral Sensitization and Conditioned Place Preference in Mice

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Published on: June 18, 2018

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Pharmacology
Behavioral Science

Background:

Beta-adrenergic receptors (β-ARs) antagonists impair long-term memory.
The role of β-ARs in initial memory formation during drug conditioning is understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate if propranolol, a β-AR antagonist, disrupts single-trial cocaine-induced sensitization.
To determine if initial sensitivity to cocaine influences the effect of propranolol on sensitization.

Main Methods:

Rats received propranolol post-cocaine or vehicle exposure.
Locomotor activity was measured following a cocaine challenge.
Animals were categorized based on initial sensitivity to cocaine's locomotor effects.

Main Results:

Post-training propranolol impaired locomotor sensitization to cocaine.
This impairment was significant only in rats initially sensitive to cocaine.
Rats not showing an initial locomotor response to cocaine were unaffected by propranolol.

Conclusions:

Beta-adrenergic receptor blockade can disrupt the formation of drug-associated memories.
Individual differences in drug response influence the impact of β-AR antagonists on memory consolidation.
Findings contribute to understanding memory consolidation in drug conditioning paradigms.