Decreased brain histamine-releasing factor protein in patients with Down syndrome and Alzheimer's disease

Histamine-releasing factor (HRF) stimulates secretion of histamine that is widely distributed in brain and released as neurotransmitter. Several studi es suggested that histaminergic deficits could contribute to the cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Based upon deranged histamine metaboli sm in brain of patients with AD and Down Syndrome (DS), we aimed to study H RF in brain of AD and DS. We used two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, matr ix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectroscopy and specific soft ware to quantify HRF. HRF was significantly reduced in temporal cortex, tha lamus and caudate nucleus of DS and in temporal cortex of AD as compared to controls. This is the first report to show decreased HRF brain levels in D S and AD suggesting the explanation for the decreased cognitive function in neurodegenerative/dementing disorders. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland L td. Ail rights reserved.