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Related Concept Videos

Pathophysiology of Vomiting01:22

Pathophysiology of Vomiting

Vomiting is a complex physiological response to expel harmful or irritating substances from the body. It's a defensive mechanism triggered by stimuli like poisons, microbial toxins, cytotoxic drugs, and mechanical abdominal distension. The process is centrally coordinated by the vomiting (or emetic) center located in the medulla of the brainstem. This area, rich in muscarinic M1, histamine H1, neurokinin 1 (NK1), and serotonin 5-HT3 receptors, coordinates the act of vomiting through interaction...
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: 5-HT3 Receptor Antagonists01:27

Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: 5-HT3 Receptor Antagonists

5-HT3 receptor antagonists, such as dolasetron, granisetron (Kytril), ondansetron (Zofran), and palonosetron (Axoli), are crucial in managing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) and postoperative nausea. These drugs selectively block 5-HT3 receptors in the visceral vagal and spinal afferent nerves, chemoreceptor trigger zone, and the vomiting center. They have a rapid onset of action and can be given as a single dose before chemotherapy. Ondansetron and granisetron, in particular,...
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists01:28

Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists

Neurokinin 1 (NK1) receptors are distributed across the GI tract, vagal afferents, and key CNS regions including the central vomiting center and chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ) Chemotherapy agents stimulate enterochromaffin cells in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract to release large amounts of substance P (SP). SP is a neuropeptide released by specific sensory nerves in response to many different stressors, including those in the GI mucosa affected by chemotherapy.  SP binds and activates these...
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Dopamine Receptor Antagonists01:29

Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Dopamine Receptor Antagonists

Dopamine receptor antagonists, also known as antipsychotic agents, are critical in managing chemotherapy-induced vomiting. These antiemetic agents block dopamine receptors in the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ), inhibiting signal transmission to the vomiting center. Antipsychotic agents encompass phenothiazines (PTZ), butyrophenones, benzamides, and thienobenzodiazepines (Zyprexa), which are utilized for their antiemetic and sedative properties.
Phenothiazines, such as prochlorperazine...
Equilibrium and Balance01:15

Equilibrium and Balance

The inner ear assumes dual functionalities of auditory perception and equilibrium maintenance. The vestibule is the organ responsible for balance. This organ contains mechanoreceptors, specifically hair cells, endowed with stereocilia, which aid in deciphering information regarding the position and motion of our heads. Two intrinsic components, the utricle and saccule, help perceive head position, while the semicircular canals track head movement. Neurological messages initiated in the...
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Cannabinoids01:21

Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Cannabinoids

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a phytocannabinoid that primarily interacts with the CB1 receptor, a type of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) predominantly in and around the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ) and emetic center. THC also blocks the serotonin receptor activity in the dorsal vagal complex (DVC) by inhibiting serotonin release. THC exerts its anti-emetic effects through these interactions, which are beneficial for patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Two synthetic agonists of THC,...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 9, 2026

3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache
10:39

3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache

Published on: June 2, 2014

Why does vomiting stop a migraine attack?

Nu Cindy Chai1, Robert E Shapiro, Alan M Rapoport

  • 1Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Sheikh Zayed Tower, Room 6005, 1800 Orleans Street, Baltimore, MD, USA. nchai1@jhmi.edu

Current Pain and Headache Reports
|August 6, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Vomiting sometimes stops migraine attacks, a common symptom alongside nausea. This review explores why this happens by examining the nervous system connections involved in migraine episodes.

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Investigating Migraine-Like Behavior Using Light Aversion in Mice
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Investigating Migraine-Like Behavior Using Light Aversion in Mice

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Last Updated: May 9, 2026

3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache
10:39

3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache

Published on: June 2, 2014

Investigating Migraine-Like Behavior Using Light Aversion in Mice
05:23

Investigating Migraine-Like Behavior Using Light Aversion in Mice

Published on: August 11, 2021

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Migraine frequently co-occurs with nausea and vomiting.
  • Some migraine sufferers report that vomiting provides relief and can terminate an attack.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the epidemiology of nausea and vomiting in migraine patients.
  • To explore the neurological mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effect of vomiting during a migraine attack.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on migraine, nausea, vomiting, and the nervous system.
  • Analysis of the interplay between the enteric, autonomic, and central nervous systems in migraine pathophysiology.

Main Results:

  • Nausea and vomiting are prevalent in migraine, affecting a significant portion of patients.
  • Vomiting's ability to cease a migraine suggests a complex physiological response involving neural pathways.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding the nervous system's role is key to explaining why vomiting can stop a migraine.
  • Further research into these connections may reveal novel therapeutic targets for migraine management.