May cause wakefulness.

• Autores: Charles Choi
• Localización: Scientific American, ISSN 0036-8733, Vol. 291, Nº. 2, 2004, págs. 28-28
• Idioma: inglés
• Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
• Resumen

  • The article discusses how histamine is best known as the allergy hormone behind inflammation, runny noses, watery eyes and airway constriction, but it appears to be involved in wakefulness as well. Cells containing histamine, along with norepinephrine and serotonin, are active in waking and inactive in sleep. To pinpoint what roles the three chemicals play in the loss of both consciousness and muscle tone during sleep, scientists looked at narcoleptic dogs. Histamine cell activity continued during cataplexy, suggesting the chemical is linked to waking, whereas norepinephrine and serotonin cell activity ceased in cataplexy, showing they are linked to muscle tone. The findings could lead to drugs that induce sleep or increase alertness and help explain why antihistamines trigger drowsiness.