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The effect on motion sickness and oculomotor function of GR 38032F, a 5-HT3-receptor antagonist with anti-emetic
J R Stott1, G R Barnes, R J Wright
1R.A.F. Institute of Aviation Medicine, Farnborough, Hampshire.
Abstract:
1. The 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT3) receptor antagonist, GR 38032F, which possesses potent anti-emetic properties in vomiting induced by cancer chemotherapeutic drugs, has been tested to determine its value in the prophylaxis of motion sickness induced by cross-coupled stimulation. The double-blind trial compared GR 38032F with both a placebo (lactose) and with hyoscine. In addition, studies of ocular pursuit and saccadic eye movements were carried out following the administration of each drug. 2. The prophylactic effect of GR 38032F on motion-induced nausea was indistinguishable from that of placebo, whereas following hyoscine subjects showed a highly significant (P less than 0.001) increase in tolerance to cross-coupled stimulation. Tests of oculomotor function showed no effect on saccadic eye movement from either drug. However, both drugs produced a significant (P less than 0.05) though small reduction in eye velocity gain during pursuit eye movement. 3. These findings suggest that the 5-HT3 receptor is not involved in the neural pathways that bring about motion sickness, but that it may have a role in the control of ocular pursuit. The absence of an anti-motion sickness effect from a drug that is effective in the treatment of vomiting induced by cancer chemotherapy serves to emphasize that different neural mechanisms are involved in the generation of motion sickness.
Insights
The 5-HT3 receptor antagonist GR 38032F did not prevent motion sickness, unlike hyoscine. This indicates distinct neural pathways for motion sickness and chemotherapy-induced vomiting.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
Background:
- The 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT3) receptor antagonist GR 38032F is effective against chemotherapy-induced vomiting.
- Motion sickness and chemotherapy-induced vomiting may involve different neural mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of GR 38032F in preventing motion sickness.
- To compare GR 38032F with hyoscine and placebo for motion sickness prophylaxis.
- To investigate the effects of GR 38032F and hyoscine on oculomotor function.
Main Methods:
- A double-blind trial comparing GR 38032F, placebo (lactose), and hyoscine.
- Administration of drugs to induce motion sickness via cross-coupled stimulation.
- Assessment of ocular pursuit and saccadic eye movements.
Main Results:
- GR 38032F showed no prophylactic effect against motion-induced nausea, similar to placebo.
- Hyoscine significantly increased tolerance to motion sickness (P < 0.001).
- Neither drug affected saccadic eye movements, but both reduced pursuit eye movement velocity gain (P < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- The 5-HT3 receptor is likely not involved in motion sickness pathways.
- The 5-HT3 receptor may play a role in regulating ocular pursuit.
- Motion sickness and chemotherapy-induced vomiting involve different underlying neural mechanisms.
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