Effect of histamine on regional cerebral blood flow in man.

Regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was measured using the intra-arterial 133Xe technique in 35 or 256 areas of a hemisphere. In seven patients rCBF was measured in the resting state and following intracarotid (i.c.) infusion of histamine 10-50 microgram/min. In four patients histamine was infused intravenously in a dose of 25-40 microgram/min. Histamine caused no significant change in mean arterial blood pressure or arterial PCO2. There was no significant change in mean hemispheric blood flow during i.v. or i.c. histamine infusion. No change in the regional distribution of hemispheric blood flow was observed. Experimental histamine headache is most likely of extracranial origin.