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Updated: Aug 13, 2026

Assessing the Autonomic and Behavioral Effects of Passive Motion in Rats using Elevator Vertical Motion and Ferris-Wheel Rotation
Published on: February 7, 2020
mu-Opiate receptor agonists -- a new pharmacological approach to prevent motion sickness?
Bärbel Otto1, Rudolf L Riepl, Carsten Otto
1Department of Internal Medicine, Innenstadt, University Hospital, Munich, Germany. baerbel.otto@med.uni-muenchen.de
Aims:
Stress hormones might be involved in motion sickness. The influence of loperamide on kinetosis-induced nausea and stress hormone release was investigated in a placebo-controlled, cross-over study.
Methods:
Standardized rotation around the vertical axis combined with head movements was used to induce nausea 3 h after 16 mg loperamide or placebo (n = 8). Plasma antidiuretic hormone (ADH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and nausea ratings were investigated.
Results:
After loperamide nausea was significantly lower (P < 0.02). ACTH (P < 0.05) and ADH levels (P < 0.02) increased significantly in both settings, but were lower after loperamide.
Conclusions:
The susceptibility to develop kinetosis-induced nausea and stress hormone release is decreased by loperamide, although the site of action remains speculative.
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