Physiological and behavioral effects of an antivertigo antihistamine in adults.

Abstract

12 neurologically normal adults were tested before and after administration of meclizine, an over-the-counter medication for motion sickness. A battery of four tests was used: (1) distortion-product otoacoustic emissions, (2) the Repeated Evoked Potentials version of the Auditory Brainstem Response, (3) quantitative electroencephalography measured over the left and right sides of the auditory cortex, and (4) a hand-eye coordination task. The battery required approximately 1.5 hr. to complete. Each subject was tested with the battery in each of eight longitudinal sessions: three times on a control day (9 am, 1 pm, 3 pm--no medication); the same times on a second day one week later (medication at approximately 11:30 am), and 24- and 48-hr. check-up sessions following the medication day. Analysis indicated changes in all components, with details suggesting the site(s) of action of this type of antihistamine. The cross-section of the auditory system yielded by this battery makes it possible to observe effects at the periphery, in the brainstem, and in the cortex, including evidence linking otoacoustic emissions with central auditory physiology. Implications range from cautions regarding the use of antihistamines to physiological support for employing such medications to enhance patients' response to vestibular rehabilitation as well as to improve performance in learning-disordered children.

• Authors: J L Lauter, O Lynch, S B Wood, L Schoeffler
• Journal: Perceptual and motor skills (Percept Mot Skills) Vol. 88 Issue 3 Pt 1 Pg. 707-32 (Jun 1999) ISSN: 0031-5125 [Print] United States
• PMID: 10407877 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Histamine H1 Antagonists
• Meclizine

Topics

• Adult
• Attention (drug effects)
• Auditory Cortex (drug effects, physiology)
• Auditory Perception (drug effects, physiology)
• Electroencephalography (drug effects)
• Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem (drug effects)
• Female
• Functional Laterality (drug effects, physiology)
• Histamine H1 Antagonists (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Learning Disabilities (drug therapy, rehabilitation)
• Male
• Meclizine (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Memory (drug effects)
• Middle Aged
• Motion Sickness (drug therapy)
• Otoacoustic Emissions, Spontaneous (drug effects)
• Psychomotor Performance (drug effects)
• Reaction Time (drug effects)
• Sleep Stages (drug effects)
• Vertigo (prevention & control)
• Vestibular Diseases (drug therapy, rehabilitation)
• Vestibular Function Tests (methods)
• Visual Perception (drug effects)