Abstract
Previous work has demonstrated post-retrieval impairment in associative learning paradigms, including those mediated by drugs of abuse, using nonspecific β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) antagonists. Remarkably little is known about the role of the specific β-AR subtypes, or other adrenergic receptors, in these effects. The current study examined the effects of β1 and β2, as well as α1- adrenergic receptor antagonism following retrieval of a cocaine conditioned place preference (CPP). We found that rats administered the β2 antagonist ICI 118,551 (8 mg/kg intraperitoneal [IP]) or the α1 antagonist prazosin (1 mg/kg IP) following a drug-free test for CPP showed attenuated reference during a subsequent test, while the β1 antagonist betaxolol (5 or 10 mg/kg IP) and a lower dose of prazosin (0.3 mg/kg IP) had no effect. Furthermore, post-test microinfusion of ICI 118,551 (6 nmol/side) or prazosin (0.5 nmol/side) into the basolateral amygdala (BLA) also impaired a subsequent preference. Systemic or intra-BLA ICI 118,551 or prazosin administered to rats in their home cages, in the absence of a preference test, had no effect on CPP 24 h later. ICI 118,551 also attenuated the FOS response in the BLA induced by the CPP test. These results are the first to demonstrate a role for α1- and β2-specific adrenergic mechanisms in post-retrieval memory processes. These systemic and site-specific injections, as well as the FOS immunohistochemical analyses, implicate the importance of specific noradrenergic signaling mechanisms within the BLA in post-retrieval plasticity.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 777-789 |
Number of pages | 13 |
Journal | Learning and Memory |
Volume | 16 |
Issue number | 12 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Dec 2009 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience