Histamine content and synthesis in central and pheripheral nerve structures during stress.

Histamine content and histidine decarboxylase activity in cortex and hypothalamus, together with histamine content in peripheral nervous structures were examined in normal and electrically stressed guinea-pigs. A significant increase in histidine decarboxylase activity in hypothalamus and cortex together with concomitant decrease in histamine content in hypothalamus have been found. Electric shock causes also a decrease in histamine content in spinal cord, spinal ganglia, dorsal roots and sensory nerve. The function of histamine in nervous system is discussed.