Development of amygdaloid kindling in histidine decarboxylase-deficient and histamine H1 receptor-deficient mice

This study attempted to clarify the role of histamine or histamine H1 receptors in the development of amygdaloid kindling by using histidine decarboxylase (HDC)-deficient and histamine H1 receptor (H1R)-deficient mice.

Under pentobarbital anesthesia, mice were fixed to a stereotaxic apparatus, and bipolar electrodes were implanted into the right amygdala. Electrodes were connected to a miniature receptacle, which was embedded in the skull with dental cement. A bipolar electroencephalogram was recorded; bipolar stimulation of the amygdala was applied every day with a constant-current stimulator and continued until a generalized convulsion was obtained.

The development of amygdaloid kindling in HDC-deficient and H1R-deficient mice was significantly accelerated compared with that in their respective wild-type mice. In addition, the afterdischarge (AD) duration and generalized seizure duration in HDC-deficient and H1R-deficient mice were prolonged. Intraperitoneal injection of histidine resulted in an inhibition of amygdaloid kindled seizures in wild-type mice at doses that caused an increase in the histamine contents of the brain. However, no significant effect was observed with histidine in H1R-deficient mice at the same dose.

These findings suggest that histaminergic mechanisms through H1 receptors play a crucial role not only in amygdaloid kindled seizures but also in the development of amygdaloid kindling.