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Evidence for a motion sickness agent in cerebrospinal fluid
Brain, Behavior and Evolution
|January 1, 1983
Summary
Researchers tested if cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) links to motion sickness in cats. Blocking CSF flow prevented vomiting, supporting the neurohumoral hypothesis for motion sickness.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Physiology
- Vestibular System
Background:
- Motion sickness is a common condition with complex underlying mechanisms.
- A potential neurohumoral link involving cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) has been hypothesized but not directly tested.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow in the development of motion sickness.
- To test the hypothesis of a neurohumoral link in motion sickness.
Main Methods:
- The study utilized a feline model to directly assess the impact of blocking CSF flow.
- CSF flow was obstructed from the third to the fourth ventricle using a surgical block.
- Cats were then subjected to accelerative motion sickness stimuli.
Main Results:
- Cats with complete CSF blocks showed no vomiting in response to motion stimuli.
- Cats with incomplete ('leaky') CSF blocks exhibited vomiting with minimal delay.
- These findings suggest a critical role for CSF in mediating motion sickness responses.
Conclusions:
- The results provide direct evidence supporting a neurohumoral link via cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in motion sickness.
- Blocking CSF flow effectively prevents motion sickness in cats.
- Further research is needed to identify the specific humoral substances involved.