Histamine H3 receptor antagonists ameliorate attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder-like behavioral changes caused by neonatal habenula lesion

A partial agonist and a full antagonist of the histamine H3 receptor have been suggested to have therapeutic effects on cognitive deficits in psychiatric disorders. We have previously shown that neonatal habenula lesion (NHL) induces behavioral deficits that resemble the symptoms of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In this study, we examined the effects of three H3 antagonists on ADHD-like behavioral changes caused by NHL in rats. Behavioral tests and administration of the H3 receptor antagonists were performed in juvenile rats with NHL. H3 antagonist administration to juvenile rats dose dependently improved NHL-induced hyperlocomotion, impulsive behavior, and attention deficit. These results suggest that histamine H3 antagonists may be used as alternative therapeutic drugs for the treatment of ADHD.