last updated 27-03-2023

Central histamine function

Histaminergic synapse

Histamine is synthesised in brain from histidine by the enzyme histidine decarboxylase (HDC). Histamine exerts its actions by binding one of the histamine receptors. The histamine receptors that have been discovered are all G protein-coupled receptors.

In the CNS, all histamine receptors H1, H2 and H3 occur. H1 is involved in regulation of vigilance, attention, sleep, feeding, and motion sickness.

The H2 receptor has a role in the working memory. H3 regulates the release of other neurotransmitters (ACh, NE en 5-HT).

Outside the brain the different histamine receptors fulfil other functions. H1 is important in inflammatory reactions (vasodilation, bronchoconstriction, pain, itching). The H2 receptor is localised in parietal cells in the stomach and plays a role in gastric acid release.

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