Increased brain histamine H1 receptor binding in patients with anorexia nervosa.

Background: The central histaminergic neuron system modulates various brain functions, including eating behavior. We hypothesized that women have higher density of histamine H1 receptor (H1R) in the limbic system than men and that the density of central H1R is increased in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN).

Methods: Subjects were 12 female AN patients, 12 healthy female subjects, and 11 healthy male subjects.