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Method for Identifying Small Molecule Inhibitors of the Protein-protein Interaction Between HCN1 and TRIP8b
Published on: November 11, 2016
Histamine receptors in the CNS as targets for therapeutic intervention
Maria Beatrice Passani1, Patrizio Blandina
1Dipartimento di Farmacologia Preclinica e Clinica,Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139 Firenze (I), Italy. beatrice.passani@unifi.it
Abstract:
Histamine has long been known to trigger allergic reactions and gastric acid secretion. However, it was later discovered that, in the brain, histamine regulates basic homeostatic and higher functions, including cognition, arousal, circadian and feeding rhythms. The sole source of brain histamine is neurons localized in the hypothalamic tuberomammillary nuclei. These neurons project axons to the whole brain, are organized into functionally distinct circuits influencing different brain regions and display selective control mechanisms. Although all histamine receptors (H1R, H2R, H3R and H4R) are expressed in the brain, only the H3R has become a drug target for the treatment of neurologic and psychiatric disorders, such as sleep disturbances and cognitive deficits. In this review, we discuss recent developments in the pharmacological manipulation of H3Rs and the implications for H3R-related therapies for neurological and psychiatric disorders. The legacy of Sir James Black.
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