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Migraine and motion sickness: what is the link?
Anna Cuomo-Granston1, Peter D Drummond
1Faculty of Health Sciences: School of Psychology, Murdoch University, 6150, Western Australia, Australia. a.cgranston@gmail.com
Progress in Neurobiology
|April 27, 2010
Summary
Migraine and motion sickness share brainstem pathways, explaining their symptom overlap. Understanding these neural connections may reveal new migraine and motion sickness treatments.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Physiology
Background:
- The brainstem is crucial for processing sensory information and regulating vital functions.
- Disruptions in brainstem processing are implicated in migraine attacks, characterized by symptoms like nausea and headache.
- Migraine frequently co-occurs with motion sickness, sharing common symptoms and potential neural circuitry.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the mechanisms underlying motion sickness and migraine symptoms.
- To discuss the shared physiology and neurotransmitters involved in both conditions.
- To provide insights into the generation of migraine attacks based on recent findings.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on brainstem function in relation to migraine and motion sickness.
- Discussion of the physiological processes and neurotransmitter roles in symptom manifestation.
- Analysis of recent research findings linking migraine and motion sickness.
Main Results:
- Both migraine and motion sickness involve reflexes that relay in the brainstem.
- Shared neural circuitry in the brainstem may explain common symptoms like nausea, dizziness, and headache.
- Subclinical disturbances in brainstem pathways could increase susceptibility to both conditions.
Conclusions:
- The brainstem plays a significant role in the pathophysiology of both migraine and motion sickness.
- Shared brainstem pathways offer a potential explanation for the comorbidity and overlapping symptoms.
- Further research into these pathways may lead to novel therapeutic strategies for both migraine and motion sickness.
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