Histaminergic system in the cat hypothalamus with reference to type B monoamine oxidase

Reactive astrogliosis: A friend or foe in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease

Astrocytes are highly efficient homeostatic glial cells playing a crucial role in optimal brain functioning and homeostasis. Astrocytes respond to changes in brain homoeostasis following central nervous system (CNS) injury/diseased state by a specific defence mechanism called reactive astrogliosis. Recent studies have implicated and placed reactive astrogliosis in the centre of pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative disorders. The AD biomarker field is evolving rapidly with new findings providing strong evidence which supports the notion that a reactive astrogliosis is an early event in the time course of AD progression which may precede other pathological hallmarks of AD. Clinical/translational in vivo PET and in vitro postmortem brain imaging studies demonstrated 'a first and second wave' of reactive astrogliosis in AD with distinct close-loop relationships with other pathological biomarkers at different stages of the disease. At the end stages, reactive astrocytes are found to be associated, or in proximity, with amyloid plaque and tau pathological deposits in postmortem AD brains. Several new PET-tracers, which are being in pipeline and validated at a very fast pace for mapping and visualising reactive astrogliosis in the brain, will provide further invaluable mechanistic insights into AD and other non-AD dementia pathologies. The complementary roles of microglia and astrocyte activation in AD progression, along with the clinical value of new fluid astrocytes biomarkers in the context of existing biomarkers, are the latest avenue that needs further exploration.

Inhibition of Astrocytic Histamine N-Methyltransferase as a Possible Target for the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) represents the principal cause of dementia among the elderly. Great efforts have been established to understand the physiopathology of AD. Changes in neurotransmitter systems in patients with AD, including cholinergic, GABAergic, serotoninergic, noradrenergic, and histaminergic changes have been reported. Interestingly, changes in the histaminergic system have been related to cognitive impairment in AD patients. The principal pathological changes in the brains of AD patients, related to the histaminergic system, are neurofibrillary degeneration of the tuberomammillary nucleus, the main source of histamine in the brain, low histamine levels, and altered signaling of its receptors. The increase of histamine levels can be achieved by inhibiting its degrading enzyme, histamine N-methyltransferase (HNMT), a cytoplasmatic enzyme located in astrocytes. Thus, increasing histamine levels could be employed in AD patients as co-therapy due to their effects on cognitive functions, neuroplasticity, neuronal survival, neurogenesis, and the degradation of amyloid beta (Aβ) peptides. In this sense, the evaluation of the impact of HNMT inhibitors on animal models of AD would be interesting, consequently highlighting its relevance.

Astroglial tracer BU99008 detects multiple binding sites in Alzheimer's disease brain

With reactive astrogliosis being established as one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD), there is high interest in developing novel positron emission tomography (PET) tracers to detect early astrocyte reactivity. BU99008, a novel astrocytic PET ligand targeting imidazoline-2 binding sites (I₂BS) on astrocytes, might be a suitable candidate. Here we demonstrate for the first time that BU99008 could visualise reactive astrogliosis in postmortem AD brains and propose a multiple binding site [Super-high-affinity (SH), High-affinity (HA) and Low-affinity (LA)] model for BU99008, I₂BS specific ligands (2-BFI and BU224) and deprenyl in AD and control (CN) brains. The proportion (%) and affinities of these sites varied significantly between the BU99008, 2-BFI, BU224 and deprenyl in AD and CN brains. Regional binding studies demonstrated significantly higher ³H-BU99008 binding in AD brain regions compared to CN. Comparative autoradiography studies reinforced these findings, showing higher specific binding for ³H-BU99008 than ³H-Deprenyl in sporadic AD brain compared to CN, implying that they might have different targets. The data clearly shows that BU99008 could detect I₂BS expressing reactive astrocytes with good selectivity and specificity and hence be a potential attractive clinical astrocytic PET tracer for gaining further insight into the role of reactive astrogliosis in AD.

Changes in histidine decarboxylase expression influence extramedullary hematopoiesis in postnatal mice

Histidine decarboxylase (HDC), histamine synthase, is expressed in hematopoietic stem cells and in lineage-committed progenitors in the bone marrow (BM). However, the role of histamine in hematopoiesis is not well described. To evaluate the role of histamine in hematopoiesis, we analyzed the changes in HDC expression at hematopoietic sites, the BM, spleen, and liver of 2-, 3-, and 6-week-old wild-type mice. We also performed morphological analyses of the hematopoietic sites using HDC-deficient (HDC-KO) mice. In wild-type adults, HDC expression in the BM was higher than that in the spleen and liver and showed an age-dependent increase. Histological analysis showed no significant change in the adult BM and spleen of HDC-KO mice compared to wild-type mice. In the liver, HDC expression was temporarily increased at 3 weeks and decreased at 6 weeks of age. Morphological analysis of the liver revealed more numerous hematopoietic colonies and megakaryocytes in HDC-KO mice compared to wild-type mice at 2 and 3 weeks of age, whereas no changes were observed in adults. Most of these hematopoietic colonies consisted of B220-positive B-lymphocytes and TER119-positive erythroblasts and were positive for the cell proliferation marker PCNA. Notably, these hematopoietic colonies declined in HDC-KO mice upon N-acetyl histamine treatment. A significant increase in the expression of hematopoiesis-related cytokines, Il3, Il7, Epo, Gcsf, and Cxcl12 mRNA was observed in the liver of 3-week-old HDC-KO mice compared to wild-type mice. These results suggest that histamine-deficiency may maintain an microenvironment suitable for hematopoiesis by regulating hematopoiesis-related cytokine expression in the liver of postnatal mice.

Brain monoamine oxidase B and A in human parkinsonian dopamine deficiency disorders

See Jellinger (doi:10.1093/awx190) for a scientific commentary on this article. The enzyme monoamine oxidases (B and A subtypes, encoded by MAOB and MAOA, respectively) are drug targets in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Inhibitors of MAOB are used clinically in Parkinson's disease for symptomatic purposes whereas the potential disease-modifying effect of monoamine oxidase inhibitors is debated. As astroglial cells express high levels of MAOB, the enzyme has been proposed as a brain imaging marker of astrogliosis, a cellular process possibly involved in Parkinson's disease pathogenesis as elevation of MAOB in astrocytes might be harmful. Since brain monoamine oxidase status in Parkinson's disease is uncertain, our objective was to measure, by quantitative immunoblotting in autopsied brain homogenates, protein levels of both monoamine oxidases in three different degenerative parkinsonian disorders: Parkinson's disease (n = 11), multiple system atrophy (n = 11), and progressive supranuclear palsy (n = 16) and in matched controls (n = 16). We hypothesized that if MAOB is 'substantially' localized to astroglial cells, MAOB levels should be generally associated with standard astroglial protein measures (e.g. glial fibrillary acidic protein). MAOB levels were increased in degenerating putamen (+83%) and substantia nigra (+10%, non-significant) in multiple system atrophy; in caudate (+26%), putamen (+27%), frontal cortex (+31%) and substantia nigra (+23%) of progressive supranuclear palsy; and in frontal cortex (+33%), but not in substantia nigra of Parkinson's disease, a region we previously reported no increase in astrocyte protein markers. Although the magnitude of MAOB increase was less than those of standard astrocytic markers, significant positive correlations were observed amongst the astrocyte proteins and MAOB. Despite suggestions that MAOA (versus MAOB) is primarily responsible for metabolism of dopamine in dopamine neurons, there was no loss of the enzyme in the parkinsonian substantia nigra; instead, increased nigral levels of a MAOA fragment and 'turnover' of the enzyme were observed in the conditions. Our findings provide support that MAOB might serve as a biochemical imaging marker, albeit not entirely specific, for astrocyte activation in human brain. The observation that MAOB protein concentration is generally increased in degenerating brain areas in multiple system atrophy (especially putamen) and in progressive supranuclear palsy, but not in the nigra in Parkinson's disease, also distinguishes astrocyte behaviour in Parkinson's disease from that in the two 'Parkinson-plus' conditions. The question remains whether suppression of either MAOB in astrocytes or MAOA in dopamine neurons might influence progression of the parkinsonian disorders.

Histamine Clearance Through Polyspecific Transporters in the Brain

Histamine plays an important role as a neurotransmitter in diverse brain functions, and clearance of histamine is essential to avoid excessive histaminergic neuronal activity. Histamine N-methyltransferase, which is an enzyme in the central nervous system that metabolizes histamine, is localized to the cytosol. This suggests that a histamine transport process is essential to inactivate histamine. Previous reports have shown the importance of astrocytes for histamine transport, although neuronal histamine transport could not be ruled out. High-affinity and selective histamine transporters have not yet been discovered, although it has been reported that the following three polyspecific transporters transport histamine: organic cation transporter (OCT) 2, OCT3, and plasma membrane monoamine transporter (PMAT). The K _m values of human OCT2, OCT3, and PMAT are 0.54, 0.64, and 4.4 mM, respectively. The three transporters are expressed in the brain, and their regional distribution is different. Recent studies revealed the contribution of OCT3 and PMAT to histamine transport by primary human astrocytes. Several investigations using mice supported the importance of OCT3 for histamine clearance in the brain. However, further studies are required to elucidate the detailed mechanism of histamine transport in the brain.

Enhanced histaminergic neurotransmission and sleep-wake alterations, a study in histamine H3-receptor knock-out mice

Long-term abolition of a brain arousal system impairs wakefulness (W), but little is known about the consequences of long-term enhancement. The brain histaminergic arousal system is under the negative control of H3-autoreceptors whose deletion results in permanent enhancement of histamine (HA) turnover. In order to determine the consequences of enhancement of the histaminergic system, we compared the cortical EEG and sleep-wake states of H3-receptor knockout (H3R-/-) and wild-type mouse littermates. We found that H3R-/-mice had rich phenotypes. On the one hand, they showed clear signs of enhanced HA neurotransmission and vigilance, i.e., a higher EEG θ power during spontaneous W and a greater extent of W or sleep restriction during behavioral tasks, including environmental change, locomotion, and motivation tests. On the other hand, during the baseline dark period, they displayed deficient W and signs of sleep deterioration, such as pronounced sleep fragmentation and reduced cortical slow activity during slow wave sleep (SWS), most likely due to a desensitization of postsynaptic histaminergic receptors as a result of constant HA release. Ciproxifan (H3-receptor inverse agonist) enhanced W in wild-type mice, but not in H3R-/-mice, indicating a functional deletion of H3-receptors, whereas triprolidine (postsynaptic H1-receptor antagonist) or α-fluoromethylhistidine (HA-synthesis inhibitor) caused a greater SWS increase in H3R-/- than in wild-type mice, consistent with enhanced HA neurotransmission. These sleep-wake characteristics and the obesity phenotypes previously reported in this animal model suggest that chronic enhancement of histaminergic neurotransmission eventually compromises the arousal system, leading to sleep-wake, behavioral, and metabolic disorders similar to those caused by voluntary sleep restriction in humans.

The waking brain: an update

Wakefulness and consciousness depend on perturbation of the cortical soliloquy. Ascending activation of the cerebral cortex is characteristic for both waking and paradoxical (REM) sleep. These evolutionary conserved activating systems build a network in the brainstem, midbrain, and diencephalon that contains the neurotransmitters and neuromodulators glutamate, histamine, acetylcholine, the catecholamines, serotonin, and some neuropeptides orchestrating the different behavioral states. Inhibition of these waking systems by GABAergic neurons allows sleep. Over the past decades, a prominent role became evident for the histaminergic and the orexinergic neurons as a hypothalamic waking center.

Histamine in the regulation of wakefulness

The histaminergic system is exclusively localized within the posterior hypothalamus with projection to almost all the major regions of the central nervous system. Strong and consistent evidence exist to suggest that histamine, acting via H₁ and/or H₃ receptor has a pivotal role in the regulation of sleep-wakefulness. Administration of histamine or H₁ receptor agonists induces wakefulness, whereas administration of H₁ receptor antagonists promotes sleep. The H₃ receptor functions as an auto-receptor and regulates the synthesis and release of histamine. Activation of H₃ receptor reduces histamine release and promotes sleep. Conversely, blockade of H₃ receptor promotes wakefulness. Histamine release in the hypothalamus and other target regions is highest during wakefulness. The histaminergic neurons display maximal activity during the state of high vigilance, and cease their activity during non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. The cerebrospinal levels of histamine are reduced in diseased states where hypersomnolence is a major symptom. The histamine deficient L-histidine decarboxylase knockout (HDC KO) mice display sleep fragmentation and increased REM sleep during the light period along with profound wakefulness deficit at dark onset, and in novel environment. Similar results have been obtained when histamine neurons are lesioned. These studies strongly implicate the histaminergic neurons of the TMN to play a critical role in the maintenance of high vigilance state during wakefulness.

Histamine in the nervous system

Histamine is a transmitter in the nervous system and a signaling molecule in the gut, the skin, and the immune system. Histaminergic neurons in mammalian brain are located exclusively in the tuberomamillary nucleus of the posterior hypothalamus and send their axons all over the central nervous system. Active solely during waking, they maintain wakefulness and attention. Three of the four known histamine receptors and binding to glutamate NMDA receptors serve multiple functions in the brain, particularly control of excitability and plasticity. H1 and H2 receptor-mediated actions are mostly excitatory; H3 receptors act as inhibitory auto- and heteroreceptors. Mutual interactions with other transmitter systems form a network that links basic homeostatic and higher brain functions, including sleep-wake regulation, circadian and feeding rhythms, immunity, learning, and memory in health and disease.

Brain structures and mechanisms involved in the control of cortical activation and wakefulness, with emphasis on the posterior hypothalamus and histaminergic neurons

Wakefulness is a functional brain state that allows the performance of several "high brain functions", such as diverse behavioural, cognitive and emotional activities. Present knowledge at the whole animal or cellular level suggests that the maintenance of the cerebral cortex in this highly complex state necessitates the convergent and divergent activity of an ascending network within a large reticular zone, extending from the medulla to the forebrain and involving four major subcortical structures (the thalamus, basal forebrain, posterior hypothalamus and brainstem monoaminergic nuclei), their integral interconnections and several neurotransmitters, such as glutamate, acetylcholine, histamine and noradrenaline. In this mini-review, the importance of the thalamus, basal forebrain and brainstem monoaminergic neurons in wake control is briefly summarized, before turning our attention to the posterior hypothalamus and histaminergic neurons, which have been far less studied. Classical and recent experimental data are summarized, supporting the hypothesis that (1) the posterior hypothalamus constitutes one of the brain ascending activating systems and plays an important role in waking; (2) this function is mediated, in part, by histaminergic neurons, which constitute one of the excitatory sources for cortical activation during waking; (3) the mechanisms of histaminergic arousal involve both the ascending and descending projections of histaminergic neurons and their interactions with diverse neuronal populations, such as neurons in the pre-optic area and cholinergic neurons; and (4) other widespread-projecting neurons in the posterior hypothalamus also contribute to the tonic cortical activation during wakefulness and/or paradoxical sleep.

Neuroimaging and sleep medicine

In sleep medicine, patients with sleep disorders are evaluated and treated. The primary assessment tool of the field has traditionally been polysomnography. While polysomnography has been helpful in the evaluation of some sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea syndrome and periodic limb movement disorder, it has been less helpful in others, such as the insomnias, or sleep disorders secondary to mental disorders. These disorders are presumed to stem from some alteration in brain function that disrupts sleep. The development of functional neuroimaging methods provides a means to understand brain function in patients with sleep disorders in a manner not accessible to polysomnography. This paper summarizes functional neuroimaging findings during healthy sleep, then, reviews available studies in sleep disorders patients, and studies addressing the pharmacology of sleep and sleep disorders. Areas in which functional neuroimaging methods may be helpful in sleep medicine, and in which future development is advised, include: (1) clarification of pathophysiology; (2) aid in differential diagnosis; (3) assessment of treatment response; (4) guiding new drug development; and (5) monitoring treatment response.

Wakefulness-inducing effects of histamine in the basal forebrain of freely moving rats

Histamine-containing neurons of the tuberomammillary nucleus (TMN) are implicated in facilitating wakefulness. They project to many brain areas, including the cholinergic basal forebrain (BF). The cholinergic magnocellular regions of the BF are important in the regulation of cortical arousal and wakefulness, and a role for histamine in this activity is suggested by in vitro data indicating histamine excites BF cholinergic and non-cholinergic neurons. To test the hypothesis that histamine induces wakefulness via actions in the BF, we performed microdialysis perfusion of different concentrations of histamine (100, 500 and 1000 microM) in the BF of Sprague-Dawley rats. A MANOVA analysis showed that histamine produced a highly statistically significant and dose-dependent increase in wakefulness and decrease in non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep compared with artificial cerebrospinal fluid perfusion. From a wakefulness baseline percentage time of about 12% with artificial cerebrospinal fluid, histamine perfusion increased this value to 26% (100 microM), 36% (500 microM), or 47% (1000 microM). There was no statistically significant change in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Histamine perfusion (500 microM) in a control site, the centromedian thalamic nucleus, did not produce any change in behavioral state. The results indicate a prominent role of histamine in wakefulness regulation via the BF and further support the hypothesis that the BF has an important role in EEG activation and wakefulness.

Developmental expression pattern of monoamine oxidases in sensory organs and neural crest derivatives

Serotonin (5-HT) has been shown to act as a morphogen in craniofacial and heart development and in the migration of neural crest derivatives. Some of these structures are capable of capturing 5-HT during development, but nothing is known about the localization of the main monoamine degradation enzymes, monoamine oxidase (MAO) A and B, in these developing tissues. We generated a highly specific antibody to MAOB; immunoreactivity is entirely abolished in brain extracts or brain sections of mice lacking MAOB. From the use of this antibody and specific riboprobes, we report that MAOB is expressed early in a variety of neural crest derivatives, in facial sensory organs, and in the heart. From E11.5 to P0, MAOB was found to be strongly expressed in the following neural crest derivatives: the aorta, cranial mesenchyme (developing bones, sensory neurons of the cranial ganglia, cartilages, thyroid, and striate muscles), dental mesenchyme, several soft palate derivatives, and boundary cap cells (E11.5-P4). Boundary cap cells contribute to the formation of nerve exit-entry points between the central and the peripheral nervous systems. Several facial sensory organs also contained MAOB mRNA, protein, and activity. High MAOB expression was noted in the olfactory placode, the dorsal part of the olfactory epithelium, the olfactory nerve layer (probably the ensheathing glia), the cochlear ganglionic cells, the taste buds, and the Merkel cells in the vibrissae follicles. Finally, we found that MAOB is massively expressed in the pharyngeal organ, heart, liver, and mast cells. In contrast, MAOA expression was restricted to the sympathetic ganglia and to the meningeal and capillary blood vessels. The pattern of MAOB expression generally matched the previously reported patterns of expression of the plasma 5-HT transporter expression or of the histamine biosynthetic enzyme L-histidine decarboxylase, suggesting a role for MAOB in fine regulation of the levels of 5-HT and histamine in the developing embryo.

Waking selective neurons in the posterior hypothalamus and their response to histamine H3-receptor ligands: an electrophysiological study in freely moving cats

Neurons which discharge selectively during waking (waking selective) have been found in the tuberomamillary nucleus (TM) and adjacent areas of the posterior hypothalamus. Although they share some electrophysiological properties with aminergic neurons, there is no direct evidence that they are histaminergic. We have recorded from posterior hypothalamic neurons during the sleep-wake cycle in freely moving cats, and investigated the effects on waking selective neurons of specific ligands of histaminergic H3-receptors, which autoregulate the activity of histaminergic neurons. Two types of neurons were seen. Waking selective neurons, termed "waking-on (W-on)," were located exclusively within the TM and adjacent areas, and discharged at a low regular rate during waking (1.71-2.97 Hz), decreased firing during light slow wave sleep (SWS), became silent during deep SWS and paradoxical sleep (PS) and resumed their activity on, or a few seconds before, awakening. "Waking-related" neurons, located in an area dorsal to the TM, displayed a similar, although less regular, low rate of firing (1.74-5.41 Hz) and a similar discharge profile during the sleep-wake cycle; however, unlike "W-on" neurons, they did not completely stop firing during deep SWS and PS. Intramuscular (i.m.) injection of ciproxifan (an H3-receptor antagonist, 1mg/kg), significantly increased the discharge rate of W-on neurons and induced c-fos expression in histamine-immunoreactive neurons, whereas i.m. injection of imetit (an H3-receptor agonist, 1mg/kg) or microinjection of alpha-methylhistamine (another H3-receptor agonist, 0.025-0.1 microg/0.2 microl) in the vicinity of these cells significantly decreased their discharge rate. Moreover, the effect of the antagonist was reversed by the agonists and vice versa. In contrast, "waking-related" neurons were unaffected by these H3-receptor ligands. These data provide evidence for the histaminergic nature of "W-on" neurons and their role in cortical desynchronization during waking, and highlight the heterogeneity of posterior hypothalamic neuronal populations, which might serve different functions during the wakefulness.

Extracellular histamine levels in the feline preoptic/anterior hypothalamic area during natural sleep-wakefulness and prolonged wakefulness: an in vivo microdialysis study

Increased activity of the histaminergic neurons of the posterior hypothalamus has been implicated in the facilitation of behavioral wakefulness. Recent evidence of reciprocal projections between the sleep-active neurons of the preoptic/anterior hypothalamus and the histaminergic neurons of the tuberomammillary nucleus suggests that histaminergic innervation of the preoptic/anterior hypothalamic area may be of particular importance in the wakefulness-promoting properties of histamine. To test this possibility, we used microdialysis sample collection in the preoptic/anterior hypothalamic area of cats during natural sleep-wakefulness cycles, 6 h of sleep deprivation induced by gentle handling/playing, and recovery sleep. Samples were analyzed by a sensitive radioenzymatic assay. Mean basal levels of histamine in microdialysate during periods of wakefulness (1.155+/-0.225 pg/microl) did not vary during the 6 h of sleep deprivation. However, during the different sleep states, dramatic changes were observed in the extracellular histamine levels of preoptic/anterior hypothalamic area: wakefulness>non-rapid eye movement sleep>rapid eye movement sleep. Levels of histamine during rapid eye movement sleep were lowest (0.245+/-0.032 pg/microl), being significantly lower than levels during non-rapid eye movement sleep (0.395+/-0.081 pg/microl) and being only 21% of wakefulness levels. This pattern of preoptic/anterior hypothalamic area extracellular histamine levels across the sleep-wakefulness cycle closely resembles the reported single unit activity of histaminergic neurons. However, the invariance of histamine levels during sleep deprivation suggests that changes in histamine level do not relay information about sleep drive to the sleep-promoting neurons of the preoptic/anterior hypothalamic area.

Anatomical, physiological, and pharmacological characteristics of histidine decarboxylase knock-out mice: evidence for the role of brain histamine in behavioral and sleep-wake control

The hypothesis that histaminergic neurons are involved in brain arousal is supported by many studies. However, the effects of the selective long-term abolition of histaminergic neurons on the sleep-wake cycle, indispensable in determining their functions, remain unknown. We have compared brain histamine(HA)-immunoreactivity and the cortical-EEG and sleep-wake cycle under baseline conditions or after behavioral or pharmacological stimuli in wild-type (WT) and knock-out mice lacking the histidine decarboxylase gene (HDC-/-). HDC-/-mice showed an increase in paradoxical sleep, a decrease in cortical EEG power in theta-rhythm during waking (W), and a decreased EEG slow wave sleep/W power ratio. Although no major difference was noted in the daily amount of spontaneous W, HDC-/-mice showed a deficit of W at lights-off and signs of somnolence, as demonstrated by a decreased sleep latencies after various behavioral stimuli, e.g., WT-mice placed in a new environment remained highly awake for 2-3 hr, whereas HDC-/-mice fell asleep after a few minutes. These effects are likely to be attributable to lack of HDC and thus of HA. In WT mice, indeed, intraperitoneal injection of alpha-fluoromethylhistidine (HDC-inhibitor) caused a decrease in W, whereas injection of ciproxifan (HA-H3 receptor antagonist) elicited W. Both injections had no effect in HDC-/-mice. Moreover, PCR and immunohistochemistry confirmed the absence of the HDC gene and brain HA-immunoreactive neurons in the HDC-/-mice. These data indicate that disruption of HA-synthesis causes permanent changes in the cortical-EEG and sleep-wake cycle and that, at moments when high vigilance is required (lights off, environmental change em leader ), mice lacking brain HA are unable to remain awake, a prerequisite condition for responding to behavioral and cognitive challenges. We suggest that histaminergic neurons also play a key role in maintaining the brain in an awake state faced with behavioral challenges.

Betahistine dihydrochloride interaction with the histaminergic system in the cat: neurochemical and molecular mechanisms

Drugs interfering with the histaminergic system facilitate behavioral recovery after vestibular lesion, likely by increasing histamine turnover and release. The effects of betahistine (structural analogue of histamine) on the histaminergic system were tested by quantifying messenger RNA for histidine decarboxylase (enzyme synthesizing histamine) by in situ hybridization and binding to histamine H(3) receptors (mediating, namely, histamine autoinhibition) using a histamine H(3) receptor agonist ([(3)H]N-alpha-methylhistamine) and radioautography methods. Experiments were done in brain sections of control cats (N=6) and cats treated with betahistine for 1 (N=6) or 3 (N=6) weeks. Betahistine treatment induced symmetrical changes with up-regulation of histidine decarboxylase mRNA in the tuberomammillary nucleus and reduction of [(3)H]N-alpha-methylhistamine labeling in both the tuberomammillary nucleus, the vestibular nuclei complex and nuclei of the inferior olive. These findings suggest that betahistine upregulates histamine turnover and release, very likely by blocking presynaptic histamine H(3) receptors, and induces histamine H(3) receptor downregulation. This action on the histaminergic system could explain the effectiveness of betahistine in the treatment of vertigo and vestibular disease.

Altered presynaptic function in monoaminergic neurons of monoamine oxidase-A knockout mice

Monoamine oxidase-A knockout (MAO-A KO) mice have elevated brain serotonin (5-HT) and noradrenaline (NA) levels, and one would therefore anticipate increased monoamine release and compensatory changes in other aspects of presynaptic monoamine function. In this study we used voltammetry in brain slices from the locus coeruleus (LC), dorsal raphe (DRN) and striatum (CPu) in 7-week-old MAO-A KO and C3H control mice to measure stimulated monoamine efflux and its control by amine transporters and autoreceptors. In LC, peak NA efflux on stimulation (99 pulses, 100 Hz) was higher in MAO-A KO than C3H mice (938 +/- 58 nm cf. 511 +/- 42 nm; P < 0.001). The NA uptake half time (t(1/2)) was longer in MAO-A KO than in C3H mice (6.0 +/- 0.9 s cf. 1.9 +/- 0.3 s; P < 0.001) and the selective NA reuptake inhibitor desipramine (50 nm) had a smaller effect in MAO-A KO mice. NA transporter binding was significantly lower in the LC of MAO-A KO mice compared to C3H controls (P < 0.01) but not in the DRN. The alpha 2 agonist dexmedetomidine (10 nm) decreased stimulated NA efflux more in C3H than in MAO-A KO mice (73.3% cf. 29.6% inhibition, P < 0.001). In DRN, peak 5-HT efflux on stimulation (99 pulses, 100 Hz) was greater (P < 0.01) in MAO-A KO (262 +/- 44 nm) than C3H mice (157 +/- 16 nm). Moreover, 5-HT uptake t(1/2) was longer (P < 0.05) in MAO-A KO than in C3H mice (8.8 +/- 1.1 s cf. 4.9 +/- 0.6 s, P < 0.05) and the effect of citalopram (75 nm) was attenuated in MAO-A KOs. Serotonin transporter binding was also lower in both the DRN and LC of MAO-A KO mice. The 5-HT(1A) agonist 8-OH-DPAT (1 microm) decreased 5-HT efflux more in C3H than in MAO-A KO mice (38.3% inhibition cf. 21.6%, P < 0.001). In contrast, there were no significant differences between MAO-A KO and C3H mice in CPu dopamine efflux and uptake and the effect of the D(2/3) agonist quinpirole was similar in the two strains. In summary, MAO-A KO mice show major dysregulation of monoaminergic presynaptic mechanisms such as autoreceptor control and transporter kinetics.

The physiology of brain histamine

Histamine-releasing neurons are located exclusively in the TM of the hypothalamus, from where they project to practically all brain regions, with ventral areas (hypothalamus, basal forebrain, amygdala) receiving a particularly strong innervation. The intrinsic electrophysiological properties of TM neurons (slow spontaneous firing, broad action potentials, deep after hyperpolarisations, etc.) are extremely similar to other aminergic neurons. Their firing rate varies across the sleep-wake cycle, being highest during waking and lowest during rapid-eye movement sleep. In contrast to other aminergic neurons somatodendritic autoreceptors (H3) do not activate an inwardly rectifying potassium channel but instead control firing by inhibiting voltage-dependent calcium channels. Histamine release is enhanced under extreme conditions such as dehydration or hypoglycemia or by a variety of stressors. Histamine activates four types of receptors. H1 receptors are mainly postsynaptically located and are coupled positively to phospholipase C. High densities are found especially in the hypothalamus and other limbic regions. Activation of these receptors causes large depolarisations via blockade of a leak potassium conductance, activation of a non-specific cation channel or activation of a sodium-calcium exchanger. H2 receptors are also mainly postsynaptically located and are coupled positively to adenylyl cyclase. High densities are found in hippocampus, amygdala and basal ganglia. Activation of these receptors also leads to mainly excitatory effects through blockade of calcium-dependent potassium channels and modulation of the hyperpolarisation-activated cation channel. H3 receptors are exclusively presynaptically located and are negatively coupled to adenylyl cyclase. High densities are found in the basal ganglia. These receptors mediated presynaptic inhibition of histamine release and the release of other neurotransmitters, most likely via inhibition of presynaptic calcium channels. Finally, histamine modulates the glutamate NMDA receptor via an action at the polyamine binding site. The central histamine system is involved in many central nervous system functions: arousal; anxiety; activation of the sympathetic nervous system; the stress-related release of hormones from the pituitary and of central aminergic neurotransmitters; antinociception; water retention and suppression of eating. A role for the neuronal histamine system as a danger response system is proposed.

Vestibular compensation in the cat: the role of the histaminergic system

Histamine is thought to be involved in the recovery of vestibular function as histaminergic medications are effective in vestibular-related syndromes. We conducted studies in the cat to assess the effects of betahistine (a histamine-like substance) on the behavioural recovery process after unilateral vestibular neurectomy (UVN). We also investigated histamine immunoreactivity changes in the vestibular and tuberomammillary nuclei of betahistine-treated lesioned cats compared with untreated and unlesioned cats. Betahistine strongly accelerated the behavioural recovery process after UVN, with a time benefit of approximately 2 weeks for both static posture (support surface) and dynamic equilibrium function (locomotor balance) compared with untreated animals. A bilateral decrease in histamine immunoreactivity was seen in both acute and compensated UVN cats; this effect was strongly accentuated with betahistine treatment. In conclusion, the results indicate that vestibular lesion reduces histamine staining due to an increase in histamine release in the vestibular and tuberomammillary nuclei that promote vestibular recovery. Betahistine dihydrochloride should contribute to this process by acting on both the presynaptic histamine H3 and postsynaptic histamine H1 receptors.

Monoamine oxidase B (MAOB)-containing structures in MAOA-deficient transgenic mice

Monoamine oxidase (MAO)-containing structures were studied for the first time in type A MAO (MAOA)-deficient transgenic mice (Tg8) derived from C3H strain, using MAO enzyme histochemistry. In this mutant line, MAOA activity was not detected in neurons of the locus coeruleus. In contrast, in their dorsal raphe neurons, we noted an intense activity of type B MAO (MAOB). Based on pharmacological MAOA suppression experiments employing a specific inhibitor (clorgyline), we confirmed that the localization of MAOB-positive structures are not different between Tg8 mutant and normal C3H line. Many of MAOB-positive structures which have not been described previously in the rat, cat and primates were described in this study. In the forebrain, MAOB-containing neurons were discriminated in the striatum, septal nuclei, major island of Calleja, diagonal band, medial forebrain bundle, ventral pallidum and amygdaloid nucleus. Stained neurons in the thalamus and hypothalamus were much more extensively distributed in the mouse than the rat. Pontine laterodorsal tegmental neurons showed MAOB activity. The present data suggest that serotonin, a preferential substrate for MAOA, can be oxidized by MAOB in MAOA-deficient Tg8 mice.

Electron-microscopic study of MAOB-containing structures in the nucleus accumbens shell: using MAOA-deficient transgenic mice

MAOB-containing structures in the nucleus accumbens were ultrastructurally studied for the first time, using MAOA-deficient transgenic mice and MAO enzyme histochemistry. Among the striatal structures, the nucleus accumbens, and in particular its dorsal shell, showed the strongest MAOB activity. MAOB-active cell bodies were embedded in a dense MAOB-active fiber plexus. MAOB-positive terminals formed axo-dendritic synapses which were exclusively of the asymmetric type. It is suggested that dopamine in the nucleus accumbens shell is transported into MAOB-positive fibers where it is degraded by MAOB.

Histamine immunoreactivity changes in vestibular-lesioned and histaminergic-treated cats

Histamine is likely involved in vestibular function recovery since histaminergic medications are effective in vestibular-related syndromes. We investigated the histamine immunoreactivity changes after unilateral vestibular neurectomy and the effects of betahistine (a partial histamine H1 receptor agonist and an histamine H3 receptor antagonist) and thioperamide (a pure histamine H3 receptor antagonist) treatment in cats. Histamine staining was analyzed in the tuberomammillary and vestibular nuclei through immunohistochemical methods and quantification techniques in light microscopy. Unilateral vestibular neurectomy induced a strong bilateral decrease in histamine immunoreactivity in the vestibular nuclei and a smaller reduction in the tuberomammillary nuclei in both acute (1 week) and compensated (3 weeks, 1 year) cats. One-week thioperamide or betahistine treatment led to a near-total lack of staining in these structures in both lesioned and control cats. One-month betahistine treatment had weaker effects in the compensated cats. We conclude that vestibular lesions reduce histamine staining because of an increase in histamine release in the vestibular and tuberomammillary nuclei, promoting vestibular functions recovery, and betahistine could contribute to this process by acting on both the presynaptic histamine H3 and postsynaptic histamine H1 receptors.

Histamine-immunoreactive neurons and their innervation of visual regions in the cortex, tectum, and thalamus in the primate Macaca mulatta

The histaminergic system is involved in the control of arousal in the brain and may impact significantly on visual processing. However, little is known about the histaminergic innervation of visual areas, or the histamine system in the primate brain, in general. We examined in Macaca mulatta the location of histamine-immunoreactive neurons and the innervation of important cortical and subcortical visual areas by histamine-immunoreactive axons. Brain sections were treated with an antibody to histamine and processed with standard immunohistological procedures. Histamine-immunoreactive neurons (20-45 microns in diameter) were localized bilaterally in the hypothalamus, particularly in ventral, lateral, posterior, and perimammillary hypothalamic areas. These hypothalamic cells appear to provide the sole neural source of histamine in the macaque brain. A plexus of varicose histamine-immunoreactive axons was present throughout the superior colliculus, the dorsal and ventral lateral geniculate nuclei of the thalamus, the reticular nucleus of the thalamus, the lateral posterior/pulvinar complex, and the visual cortex, including areas 17, 18, and the nearby extrastriate cortex. The axons nearly homogeneously innervated every region and layer in these structures, except for an increase in density in layer 1 of the visual cortex and in the superficial-most layers of the superior colliculus. Histaminergic axons broadly innervated every visual region examined. In comparison with the other aminergic and the cholinergic projection systems, which show considerable projection specificity, the histaminergic projection exhibited great homogeneity. The breadth of the distribution of histaminergic axons ensures that virtually all levels of visual processing in the primate can be influenced, either directly or indirectly, by the neuromodulatory effects of histamine.

Cellular expression of mRNAs encoding monoamine oxidases A and B in the rat central nervous system

Monoamine oxidases A and B (MAO-A and MAO-B) oxidatively deaminate neurotransmitter and xenobiotic amines. The cellular localization of these isoenzymes in the central nervous system (CNS) differs markedly and only partly reflects the distribution of their presumed natural substrates. In the present study, by using in situ hybridization with 35S-labelled oligonucleotide probes, we examined the distribution of mRNAs encoding MAO-A and MAO-B in the rat CNS. Probes for tyrosine hydroxylase, histidine decarboxylase, and tryptophan hydroxylase mRNAs were used to demonstrate the catecholaminergic, histaminergic, or serotoninergic nature of some cell populations in adjacent sections. The radioligands [3H]-Ro 41-1049 and [3H]lazabemide (reversible and selective inhibitors of MAO-A and MAO-B, respectively) were used to reveal the protein distribution by enzyme radioautography. The distribution and abundance of transcripts for both isoenzymes in the tissues investigated differed markedly but, in general, correlated with the protein distribution. MAO-A mRNA and protein were most abundant in noradrenergic neurons. However, moderate levels of transcript expression and protein were also detected in the serotoninergic neurons, and low but significant levels were detected in the dopaminergic neurons. An unexpectedly remarkable degree of hybridization signal was apparent in nonaminergic cell populations, e.g., in the cerebral cortices, the hippocampal formation (CA1-3, dentate gyrus), the cerebellar granule cell layer, and the spinal cord motoneurons. In contrast, MAO-B mRNA and protein were most abundant in serotoninergic and histaminergic neurons, Bergmann glial cells, and circumventricular organs, including the ependyma. MAO-B transcripts were also weakly expressed in nonaminergic cells, e.g., in the hippocampal formation (CA1-2). A further nonneuronal localization of MAO-B transcripts was also resolved, e.g., in the glia limitans, the olfactory nerve layer, and the cerebellar peduncle. These findings reveal further the potential of various cell populations to synthesize the isoenzymes, and homologous (aminergic) and heterologous (nonaminergic) patterns of expression as well as coexpression of MAO mRNAs are described.

Cholinergic nucleus basalis neurons are excited by histamine in vitro

Considerable evidence has shown that both cholinergic and histaminergic neurons in the brain may act to facilitate processes of cortical activation that occur during wakefulness. In the present study, the potential influence of histaminergic neurons upon cholinergic neurons of the basal forebrain was investigated in guinea-pig basal forebrain slices. We found that electrophysiologically identified and immunohistochemically verified cholinergic neurons of the nucleus basalis were depolarized and excited by histamine, as manifested by an increase in tonic firing. The depolarization was associated with an increase in membrane input resistance. The effect of histamine persisted in the presence of either tetrodotoxin or a high-magnesium/low-calcium solution, indicating that it is postsynaptic. By a process of elimination, the participation in this response of the three described histamine receptors was examined. Involvement of H3 receptors was excluded on the basis that the H3 agonist (R)-alpha-methyl-histamine had no direct effect, and the H3 antagonist, thioperamide, did not block the effect of histamine. In contrast, the presence of a small response to impromidine, a selective agonist of H2 receptors, and the partial block of the response to histamine by the H2 receptor antagonist, cimetidine, indicated the participation of H2 receptors. Finally, the complete elimination of histamine's effect occurred when low doses of the H1 antagonist, mepyramine, were added to the H2 antagonist, cimetidine, indicating the involvement and predominance of H1 receptors in the response. Our data thus suggest that histamine excites nucleus basalis cholinergic neurons by a concomitant activation of H1 and H2 receptors. Histaminergic tuberomammillary neurons may accordingly facilitate tonic firing of cholinergic neurons during wakefulness. Cholinergic basalis neurons could thus act in tandem with histaminergic neurons during periods of arousal to collectively promote widespread cortical activation.

Hypothalamo-preoptic histaminergic projections in sleep-wake control in the cat

Cats were chronically implanted with electrodes for polygraphic recordings and cannulae for intracerebral microinjections in order to study the functional role of histaminergic innervation of the preoptic-anterior hypothalamus in sleep-wake control. alpha-Fluoromethylhistidine (alpha FMH, 50 micrograms in 1 microliter), a specific inhibitor of the histamine-synthesizing enzyme, when injected bilaterally into the preoptic area, where numerous histaminergic fibres and terminal-like structures are present, caused a significant increase in deep slow wave sleep (S2) and paradoxical sleep (PS) and a decrease in wakefulness. In contrast, microinjections of histamine (5 or 30 micrograms in 1 microliter) in the same area dose-relatedly increased wakefulness and decreased both slow wave sleep and paradoxical sleep. The effects of histamine were reduced by pretreatment with mepyramine (1 mg/kg i.p.), a well known histamine H1 receptor antagonist, and were mimicked by a local injection of impromidine (1 microgram in 1 microliter), a potent histamine H2 receptor agonist. Microinjections of mepyramine alone (120 micrograms in 1 microliter) caused an increase in slow wave sleep. These results suggest that preoptic histaminergic innervation is involved in sleep-wake control and that the action might be mediated via both H1 and H2 receptors.