First Author | Rizk A | Year | 2004 |
Journal | Eur J Neurosci | Volume | 19 |
Issue | 7 | Pages | 1992-6 |
PubMed ID | 15078574 | Mgi Jnum | J:89633 |
Mgi Id | MGI:3040997 | Doi | 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2004.03251.x |
Citation | Rizk A, et al. (2004) Anxiety and cognition in histamine H3 receptor-/- mice. Eur J Neurosci 19(7):1992-6 |
abstractText | Histamine H(3) receptors (H3Rs) were first characterized as autoreceptors modulating histamine release and synthesis via negative feedback. Acute H3R stimulation or blockade with selective agonists and antagonists suggests a role for H3R in anxiety and cognition. However, little is known about the long-term effects of H3R blockade on brain function. In the current study, mice lacking H3 receptors (H3R(-/-)) were used to investigate the role of H3R-mediated signalling in anxiety and cognition. H3R(-/-) mice showed enhanced spatial learning and memory in the Barnes maze. In addition, H3R(-/-) mice showed reduced measures of anxiety in the elevated plus and zero mazes involving exploratory behaviour and avoidable anxiety-provoking stimuli, but enhanced acoustic startle responses involving unavoidable anxiety-provoking stimuli. These behavioural alterations were associated with higher arginine vasopressin levels in the central and basolateral nuclei of the amygdala. These findings support a role for H3Rs in mediating histamine effects on spatial learning and memory and measures of anxiety. |