Propranolol blocks the unconditioned and conditioned hyperactive effects of methamphetamine in CD-1 mice

The present experiment examined the contribution of the beta-adrenergic receptor system in mediating the unconditioned (i.e. pharmacological) and conditioned (i.e. learned) hyperactive effects of methamphetamine. To this end, mice underwent an 8-day conditioning procedure involving two different, alternating session types (chamber and home-cage days). On chamber days (1, 3, 5, and 7), mice were injected (intraperitoneally) with vehicle (dH(2)O) or propranolol (16 or 32 mg/kg) and were injected (subcutaneously) 30 min (min) later by either vehicle (saline; unpaired) or methamphetamine (1.0 mg/kg; paired). On home-cage days (2, 4, 6, and 8), mice were injected (subcutaneously) with either vehicle (saline; paired) or methamphetamine (1.0 mg/ kg; unpaired) in their home cages. The test day for conditioned hyperactivity occurred 48 h after the last chamber day. Propranolol dose-dependently blocked the unconditioned and conditioned hyperactive effects of methamphetamine, implicating a role for the beta-adrenergic system in mediating these effects of methamphetamine. Behavioural Pharmacology 34: 375-379 Copyright (c) 2023 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The contribution of the beta-adrenergic receptor system in mediating the unconditioned and conditioned hyperactive effects of methamphetamine was examined. The results showed that propranolol dose-dependently blocked the hyperactive effects of methamphetamine, indicating a role for the beta-adrenergic system in mediating these effects.