Increased brain histamine H1 receptor binding in patients with anorexia nervosa.
BACKGROUND
The central histaminergic neuron system modulates various brain functions, including eating behavior. We hypothesized that women have higher density of histamine H1 receptor (H1R) in the limbic system than men and that the density of central H1R is increased in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN).


METHODS
Subjects were 12 female AN patients, 12 healthy female subjects, and 11 healthy male subjects. Positron emission tomography with H1R radioligand [(11)C]doxepin was performed on all subjects and regions of interest based analysis was conducted to evaluate brain H1R binding potential (BP). Abnormal eating behavior, depression, and anxiety of subjects were evaluated using the Eating Attitude Test-26 (EAT-26), Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), respectively.


RESULTS
Binding potential of [(11)C]doxepin in female subjects was significantly higher than that in male subjects at the following brain sites: amygdala, hippocampus, medial prefrontal cortex, orbitofrontal cortex, and temporal cortex. Anorexia nervosa patients showed significantly higher BP of [(11)C]doxepin in the amygdala and lentiform nucleus than the control female subjects. In AN patients, BP of [(11)C]doxepin in the amygdala and thalamus negatively correlated with EAT-26 scores. There was a significant negative correlation between BP of [(11)C]doxepin and SDS or STAI scores in the amygdala, anterior cingulate cortex, and orbitofrontal cortex of AN patients.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings support the hypothesis that women have higher H1R density in the limbic system than men and suggest that AN patients may have higher expression of H1R in the limbic brain, particularly in the amygdala.
Yoshizawa
Masahiko
M
Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Japan.
Tashiro
Manabu
M
Fukudo
Shin
S
Yanai
Kazuhiko
K
Utsumi
Atsushi
A
Kano
Michiko
M
Karahasi
Masako
M
Endo
Yuka
Y
Morisita
Joe
J
Sato
Yasuhiro
Y
Adachi
Masasi
M
Itoh
Masatosi
M
Hongo
Michio
M
D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000523:psychology; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004316:Doxepin / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008032:Limbic System / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011969:Receptors, Histamine H1 / Q000502:physiology*; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D055815:Young Adult
D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D011969:Receptors, Histamine H1; D004316:Doxepin