Encyclopedia of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery

2013 Edition
| Editors: Stilianos E. Kountakis

Pharmacotherapy of Imbalance

Reference work entry
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-23499-6_712
How to cite

Synonyms

 Serotonin receptor

Basic Characteristics

The pharmacotherapy used in the treatment of vestibular dysfunction or vestibular imbalance is based on the physiology of neurotransmitters within the vestibular system. The vestibuloocular reflex is driven by at least four major neurotransmitters: glutamate, acetylcholine (ACh), gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutamate, and glycine. ACh has role of central and peripheral agonist affecting both muscarinic and nicotinic receptors in the vestibular efferent and central pathway systems (Barton et al. 1994). GABA is one of the inhibitory neurotransmitters and acts by stimulation of one of the two of GABA receptor: GABA-A and GABA-B (Cohen et al. 1987). Both receptors share the similarity of neurotransmitter effect on the vestibular system when stimulated (Neerven et al. 1989). However, GABA-B when stimulated by specific agonists shows a decrease in duration of vestibular system response (Cohen et al. 1987). Glutamate acts as an...

This is a preview of subscription content, log in to check access.

References

  1. Bailey B (2001) Heat & neck surgery-otolaryngology, vol 2, 3rd edn. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, PhiladelphiaGoogle Scholar
  2. Barton JS, Huaman AG, Sharpe JA (1994) Muscarinic antagonists in the treatment of acquired pendular and downbeat nystagmus: a double-blind, randomized trial of three intravenous drugs. Ann Neurol 35:319–325PubMedCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  3. Cohen B, Helwig D, Raphan T (1987) Baclofen and velocity storage: a model of the effects of the drug on the vestibule-ocular reflex in the Rhesus Monkey. J Physiol (Lond) 393:703–726Google Scholar
  4. Hain TC, Yacovino D (2005) Pharmacologic treatment of persons with dizziness. Neurol Clin 23:831–853PubMedCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  5. Kluwer W (2008) Drug facts and comparisons. Wolters Kluwer Health, St. LouisGoogle Scholar
  6. Serafin M, Khateb A, Waele CD, Vidal PP, Muhlthaler M (1992) In vitro properties of medial vestibular neurons. In: Shimazu H, Shinoda Y (eds) Vestibular and brain stem control of head and body movement. Karger, pp 111–121Google Scholar
  7. Spencer RF, Wang SF, Baker R (1992) The pathways and function of GABA in the oculomotor system. Prog Brain Res 90:307–331PubMedCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  8. Stott JRR, Barnes GR, Wright RJ, Ruddock JS (1989) The effect on motion sickness and oculomotor function of GR 38302F, a 5-HT3 antagonist with anti-emetic properties. Br J Clin Pharmacol 27:145–157CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  9. Takeda N, Mashahiro M, Hasegawa S, Kubo T, Matsunaga T (1989) Petrochemical mechanisms of motion sickness. Am J Otolaryngol 10:351–359PubMedCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  10. Vaan Neerven J, Pompeiano O, Collewijin H (1989) Depression of the vestibulo-ocular and optokinetic responses by intrafloccular microinjection of GABA-A and GABA-B agonists in the rabbit. Arch Ital Biol 127:244–264Google Scholar
  11. Wood CD (1979) Antimotion sickness and antiemetic drugs. Drugs 17:471–479PubMedCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  12. Zee DS (1988) The management of patients with vestibular disorders. In: Barber HO, Sharpe JA (eds) Vestibular disorders. Yearbook Medical Publishers, Chicago, pp 254–274Google Scholar

Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2013

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Department of OtolaryngologyMedical College of GeorgiaAugustaUSA
  2. 2.MelbourneUSA