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Background and Purpose The influence of the neurotransmitter histamine on spontaneous and stimulation-evoked release of glutamate, aspartate, GABA and ACh in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) was investigated in vivo. Experimental Approach Using the push–pull superfusion technique, histaminergic compounds were applied to the NAc and neurotransmitter release was assessed. In some experiments, the fornix/fimbria of the hippocampus was electrically stimulated by a microelectrode and evoked potentials were monitored in the NAc. Key Results Superfusion of the NAc with the H1 receptor antagonist triprolidine (50 μM) decreased spontaneous outflow of glutamate, aspartate and ACh, while release of GABA remained unaffected. Superfusion with histamine elevated release of ACh, without influencing that of the amino acids. Electrical stimulation of the fornix/fimbria enhanced the output of amino acids and ACh within the NAc. The evoked outflow of glutamate and ACh was diminished on superfusion with triprolidine, while release of aspartate and GABA was not affected. Superfusion of the NAc with histamine intensified the stimulation-evoked release of glutamate and Ach. Histamine also elevated the stimulation-induced release of aspartate, without influencing that of GABA. Presuperfusion with triprolidine abolished the reinforced effect of histamine on stimulation-evoked transmitter release within the NAc. Conclusion and Implications Neuronal histamine activates H1 receptors and increases spontaneous release of glutamate, aspartate and ACh within the NAc. Stimulation of the hippocampal fornix/fimbria tract also enhances release of glutamate and ACh within the NAc and this effect is intensified by H1 receptor stimulation within the NAc. The latter effects, which are mediated by hippocampal afferences, might play an important role in mnemonic performance and in emotional processes such as anxiety and stress disorders. Linked Articles This article is part of a themed issue on Histamine Pharmacology Update. To view the other articles in this issue visit http://dx.doi.org/ 10.1111/bph.2013.170.issue-1

Background and Purpose Here, we have investigated whether learning and/or short-term memory was associated with release of ACh and glutamate in the rat nucleus accumbens (NAc). Additionally, neurotransmitter release in the NAc was assessed during facilitation of cognitive processes by antagonists of inhibitory histamine autoreceptors. Experimental Approach The olfactory, social memory test was used in combination with push–pull superfusion of the NAc. A male, juvenile rat was exposed twice to an adult male rat at intervals of 60 or 90 min, and release of ACh and glutamate was determined in the NAc of the conscious adult rat. Histamine receptor antagonists were applied i.c.v. Key Results First exposure of a juvenile rat to an adult rat increased ACh and glutamate release in the NAc of the adult rat. Repetition of exposure after 60 min did not change release of ACh and glutamate, while contact time to recognition (CTR) was shortened. Repetition of exposure after an interval of 90 min prolonged CTR and enhanced accumbal ACh and glutamate release rates. Injection (i.c.v.) of thioperamide (histamine H3 receptor antagonist) together with famotidine (H2 receptor antagonist), 80 min prior to second exposure, diminished CTR and abolished ACh and glutamate release when second exposure was carried out 90 min after the first one. Conclusions and Implications Histaminergic neurons per se facilitated short-term memory, without activation of cholinergic and/or glutamatergic neurons in the NAc of rats. Cholinergic and glutamatergic neurons within the NAc contributed to learning but not to recall of memory. Linked Articles This article is part of a themed issue on Histamine Pharmacology Update. To view the other articles in this issue visit http://dx.doi.org/ 10.1111/bph.2013.170.issue-1

The interactions between 5-hydroxytryptaminergic neurones and excitatory amino acid utilizing neurones were studied in the locus coeruleus of conscious, freely moving rats. The locus coeruleus was superfused with artificial cerebrospinal fluid through a push-pull cannula and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) was determined in the superfusate that was continuously collected in time periods of 10 min. Superfusion of the locus coeruleus with the NMDA receptor antagonist AP5 (10 μM), kynurenic acid (1 mM), or the AMPA/kainate receptor antagonist DNQX (10 μM) reduced the 5-HT release in the locus coeruleus. Superfusion with the agonists NMDA (50 μM), kainic acid (50 μM) or AMPA (10 μM) enhanced the release rate of 5-HT. AP5 (10 μM) blocked the stimulant effect of NMDA, while tetrodotoxin (1 μM) failed to influence the NMDA-induced release of 5-HT. In the presence of 10 μM DNQX, the releasing effect of 50 μM kainic acid was abolished. Pain elicited by tail pinch, as well as noise-induced stress, increased the release of 5-HT. Superfusion of the locus coeruleus with 10 μM AP5 reduced the tail pinch-induced 5-HT release. AP5 (10 μM) did not affect the noise-induced release of 5-HT which was reduced, when the locus coeruleus was superfused simultaneously with this concentration of AP5 and 1 μM kynurenic acid. DNQX (10 mM) failed to influence the release of 5-HT induced by tail pinch or noise. The findings suggest that 5-hydroxytryptaminergic neurones of the locus coeruleus are tonically modulated by excitatory amino acids via NMDA and AMPA/kainate receptors. The release of 5-HT elicited by tail pinch and noise is mediated to a considerable extent through endogenous excitatory amino acids acting on NMDA receptors, while AMPA/kainate receptors are not involved in this process. British Journal of Pharmacology (1998) 123, 746–752; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0701656