Neuropeptide S interacts with the basolateral amygdala noradrenergic system in facilitating object recognition memory consolidation

• NPS infused into the basolateral amygdala facilitates memory for objects.
• Memory-enhancing effect of NPS is blocked by co-infused propranolol.
• NPS improves memory involving noradrenergic activity in the basolateral amygdala.

The noradrenergic activity in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) was reported to be involved in the regulation of object recognition memory. As the BLA expresses high density of receptors for Neuropeptide S (NPS), we investigated whether the BLA is involved in mediating NPS’s effects on object recognition memory consolidation and whether such effects require noradrenergic activity. Intracerebroventricular infusion of NPS (1 nmol) post training facilitated 24-h memory in a mouse novel object recognition task. The memory-enhancing effect of NPS could be blocked by the β-adrenoceptor antagonist propranolol. Furthermore, post-training intra-BLA infusions of NPS (0.5 nmol/side) improved 24-h memory for objects, which was impaired by co-administration of propranolol (0.5 μg/side). Taken together, these results indicate that NPS interacts with the BLA noradrenergic system in improving object recognition memory during consolidation.