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Published on: March 4, 2014
Anti-malaria drug mefloquine induces motor learning deficits in humans
Thomas A van Essen1, Ruben S van der Giessen, Sebastiaan K E Koekkoek
1Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Abstract:
Mefloquine (a marketed anti-malaria drug) prophylaxis has a high risk of causing adverse events. Interestingly, animal studies have shown that mefloquine imposes a major deficit in motor learning skills by affecting the connexin 36 gap junctions of the inferior olive. We were therefore interested in assessing whether mefloquine might induce similar effects in humans. The main aim of this study was to investigate the effect of mefloquine on olivary-related motor performance and motor learning tasks in humans. We subjected nine participants to voluntary motor timing (dart throwing task), perceptual timing (rhythm perceptual task) and reflex timing tasks (eye-blink task) before and 24 h after the intake of mefloquine. The influence of mefloquine on motor learning was assessed by subjecting participants with and without mefloquine intake (controls: n = 11 vs mefloquine: n = 8) to an eye-blink conditioning task. Voluntary motor performance, perceptual timing, and reflex blinking were not affected by mefloquine use. However, the influence of mefloquine on motor learning was substantial; both learning speed as well as learning capacity was impaired by mefloquine use. Our data suggest that mefloquine disturbs motor learning skills. This adverse effect can have clinical as well as social clinical implications for mefloquine users. Therefore, this side-effect of mefloquine should be further investigated and recognized by clinicians.
Insights
Mefloquine, an anti-malaria drug, impairs motor learning skills in humans. This study found mefloquine use significantly reduced learning speed and capacity, highlighting potential clinical implications.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Motor Control
Background:
- Mefloquine is an antimalarial drug with known adverse events.
- Animal studies link mefloquine to motor learning deficits via connexin 36 gap junctions in the inferior olive.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate mefloquine's impact on human motor performance and motor learning.
- To assess effects on olivary-related motor timing and conditioning.
Main Methods:
- Nine participants underwent motor timing (voluntary, perceptual, reflex) tasks before and after mefloquine intake.
- Motor learning was assessed using an eye-blink conditioning task in mefloquine users (n=8) and controls (n=11).
Main Results:
- Mefloquine did not significantly affect voluntary motor performance, perceptual timing, or reflex blinking.
- Mefloquine use substantially impaired motor learning, reducing both learning speed and capacity.
Conclusions:
- Mefloquine significantly disturbs motor learning skills in humans.
- This adverse effect has potential clinical and social implications, warranting further investigation and clinical recognition.
