Several receptor and intracellular signalling systems in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) regulate memory formation. In the present study, we show that bombesin/gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) receptors in the BLA are involved in the consolidation of affectively motivated memory. Adult male rats were trained in a single-trial step-down inhibitory avoidance task and tested for retention 24 h later. Post-training systemic injection of the bombesin/GRP receptor antagonist (D-Tpi6, Leu13 psi[CH2NH]-Leu14) bombesin (6-14) (RC-3095) impaired memory retention. In rats implanted under thionembutal anaesthesia with guide cannulae aimed at the BLA, post-training bilateral infusion of RC-3095 into the BLA dose-dependently impaired retention. Pre-training unilateral muscimol inactivation of the BLA blocked the memory-impairing effect of post-training systemic administration of RC-3095. The results suggest that bombesin/GRP receptors in the BLA are involved in the consolidation of aversive memory, and the BLA mediates the memory-impairing effect of systemic bombesin/GRP receptor blockade.