Symptomatic treatment of vestibular deficits: Therapeutic potential of histamine H4 receptors

Vestibular disorders display high prevalence and can severely impact the daily life. However, pharmacological options that would efficiently relieve the vertigo symptoms without side effects are still lacking. In the present review we briefly review the common history of histamine receptor modulation and the pharmacological therapy of vestibular disorders. We also discuss the recent demonstration of Histamine H4 Receptor mRNAs expression in Scarpa's ganglion of mammal and the potential use of specific H4R antagonists as vestibulomodulators. Additional original data confirm the expression of H4R proteins in the rat vestibular primary neurons, the neuromodulatory properties of specific H4R antagonists in vitro (inhibition of vestibular neuron excitability) as well as their efficacy to decrease vestibular deficits induced in different in animal models.