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Spectral analysis of the electroencephalographic response to motion sickness
W E Chelen1, M Kabrisky, S K Rogers
1Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB, Dayton, Ohio.
Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine
|January 1, 1993
Summary
Motion sickness significantly increases delta and theta electroencephalogram (EEG) band energies, suggesting a link to central nervous system activity. These EEG changes indicate motion sickness may be a variant of seizure activity.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Human Physiology
Background:
- Motion sickness is a common neurological condition.
- The electrophysiological underpinnings of motion sickness are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cortical electrical activity during induced motion sickness.
- To characterize the electroencephalogram (EEG) changes associated with motion sickness.
Main Methods:
- Ten subjects underwent cross-coupled angular stimulation to induce motion sickness.
- A 14-channel subdermal electrode montage recorded EEG data.
- Power spectral analysis was performed on delta, theta, and alpha EEG bands.
Main Results:
- Delta band EEG energy increased 13.7-fold during motion sickness compared to baseline.
- Theta band EEG energy increased 2.2-fold during motion sickness.
- Alpha band EEG energy showed no significant change.
Conclusions:
- Increased delta and theta EEG power correlate with motion sickness severity.
- These findings suggest motion sickness involves diffuse central nervous system oscillatory activity.
- The EEG patterns observed in motion sickness resemble those in partial seizures, proposing a potential link in pathophysiology.