Metoprolol decreases retention of fear memory and facilitates long-term depression in lateral amygdala

In this study, we investigated the action of β1-adrenergic receptor antagonist-metoprolol and β2-adrenergic receptor antagonist-butoxamine on the retention of conditioned fear memory and synaptic adaptation in the lateral amygdala of rats. We found metoprolol not butoxamine attenuated the reactivation-induced strengthening of fear retention and restored the impaired long-term depression in lateral amygdala. Intra-amygdala infusion of metoprolol not butoxamine attenuated reactivation-induced enhancement of fear retention. Our results suggest that β1-adrenergic receptor antagonist-metoprolol may be more suitable for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder.
Source: Behavioural Pharmacology - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Tags: Research Reports Source Type: research