Hear are a couple of abstracts providing some of the rationale for GLIA's cognitive modulation program involving the H3 Histamine receptor (Perceptin).
Best regards John de C
Central histaminergic system and cognition. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2000 Jan;24(1):107-13 Passani MB, Bacciottini L, Mannaioni PF, Blandina P Dipartimento di Farmacologia Preclinica e Clinica, Universita di Firenze, Italy.
The neurotransmitter histamine is contained within neurons clustered in the tuberomammillary nuclei of the hypothalamus. These cells give rise to widespread projections extending through the basal forebrain to the cerebral cortex, as well as to the thalamus and pontomesencephalic tegmentum. These morphological features suggest that the histaminergic system acts as a regulatory center for whole-brain activity. Indeed, this amine is involved in the regulation of numerous physiological functions and behaviors, including learning and memory, as indicated by extensive research reviewed in this paper. Histamine effects on cognition might be explained by the modulation of the cholinergic system. However, interactions of histamine with any transmitter system, and/or a putative intrinsic procognitive role cannot be excluded. Furthermore, although experimental evidence indicates that attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms arise from impaired dopaminergic and noradrenergic transmission, recent research suggests that histamine is also involved. The possible relevance of histamine in disorders such as age-related memory deficits, Alzheimer's disease and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder is worth of consideration, and awaits validation with clinical trials that will prove the beneficial effects of histaminergic drugs in the treatment of these diseases.
[The roles of histamine H3 receptors in the behavioral disorders and neuropsychopharmacological aspects of its ligands in the brain]. Nippon Yakurigaku Zasshi 1999 Aug;114(2):89-106 Onodera K, Miyazaki S Department of Pharmacology School of Dentistry, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.
Histamine H3 receptors exist in the presynapse of histaminergic nerve terminals, and they regulate the synthesis and release of histamine. A high density of histamine H3 receptors is observed in the cerebral cortex, the amygdala, the striatum, the hippocampus, the thalamus and the hypothalamus. In this review, we describe signal transduction mechanisms of histamine H3 receptors and discuss the structure-activity relationship of histamine H3-receptor ligands, including new compounds that possess high selectivities and affinities. Possible roles of histamine H3 receptors on neurobehavioral disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Down syndrome, attention deficit hyperactive disease, epilepsy, stress, anxiety, Parkinson's disease, etc. were also described. Recent pharmacological studies revealed that BP2.94, a histamine H3 receptor agonist, has anti-inflammatory and analgesic action. BP2.94 may be useful for the treatment of migraine and is now in clinical trial. Histamine H3 receptor antagonists such as GT2016 and FUB181 may provide clinical candidates for the treatment of dementia, attention deficit hyperactive disorder and epilepsy. |