Chronic administration of propranolol impairs inhibitory avoidance retention in mice. Neurobiol Learn Mem 1999 Mar;71(2):248-57
Date
03/20/1999Pubmed ID
10082644DOI
10.1006/nlme.1998.3873Scopus ID
2-s2.0-0032811137 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 21 CitationsAbstract
Adrenergic systems are importantly involved in memory storage processes. As such, agents that alter adrenergic receptors, such as "beta-blockers," also alter memory storage. However, the anxiety literature cautions that beta-adrenergic receptor antagonists, such as propranolol, may have different behavioral effects with acute vs chronic dosing. The effects of chronic propranolol specifically on memory modulation are unknown. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of chronic propranolol on retention for an aversive task, in which there is endogenous adrenergic activation. Adult male ICR mice were given daily injections of one of four doses of propranolol (2, 4, 8, and 12 mg/kg) or 0.9% NaCl vehicle for 15 days prior to, and continuing during, behavioral tests of exploration and retention. Exploratory behavior, as an index of anxiety level, was measured in a conventional elevated plus-maze, whereas retention of an aversive experience was measured in a step-through inhibitory avoidance apparatus. Sensitivity to aversive footshock was also evaluated. Compared to controls, propranolol-treated mice showed a dose-dependent decrease in retention for the inhibitory avoidance task, but no effect on anxiety on the plus-maze or on footshock sensitivity. Taken together with results from previous studies, it is apparent that propranolol can have different behavioral effects when administered acutely vs chronically, and its chronic effects significantly impair memory storage processes. Since these drugs are typically used chronically, and often in older adults, they could contribute to functional memory impairments.
Author List
Nielson KA, Czech DA, Laubmeier KKAuthor
Kristy Nielson PhD Professor in the Psychology department at Marquette UniversityMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
Adrenergic beta-AntagonistsAnimals
Avoidance Learning
Male
Maze Learning
Mice
Mice, Inbred ICR
Propranolol
Statistics, Nonparametric