title: Methylphenidate and atomoxetine increase histamine release in rat prefrontal cortex.
abstract: Using microdialysis in rat prefrontal cortex, we found that 1 mg/kg of the stimulant methylphenidate and the non-stimulant atomoxetine, two widely used treatments for Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), produce robust increases in the extracellular levels of histamine, which plays a key role in attention, learning and memory. While the clinical response to ADHD drugs is typically attributed to modulation of norepinephrine and dopamine, this finding suggests enhanced histamine release may contribute to their efficacy as ADHD treatments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, MS 8220-4159, Pfizer Global Research and Development, Groton, CT 06340 USA.
authors.forename: Weldon E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Horner
authors.forename: David E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Anne W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rollema
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000069445:Atomoxetine Hydrochloride; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy; D006636:Histamine Release / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D011437:Propylamines / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
chemical_list: D011437:Propylamines; D008774:Methylphenidate; D000069445:Atomoxetine Hydrochloride