Vestibulo-ocular reflexes in rabbits: reduction by intravenous injection of diazepam.
We have studied the influence of intravenously administered diazepam on the horizontal (HVOR) and vertical (VVOR) vestibulo-ocular reflexes of the rabbit. The HVOR and VVOR were evoked by sinusoidal oscillation of rabbits on a rate table (0.01 to 0.8 Hz, +/- 10 degrees), and eye movements were measured with an infrared light-projection technique. The gains of the HVOR and VVOR (evoked eye velocity/head velocity) were reduced by diazepam injections of 5 microgram/kg. The dose required to produce a 50% reduction in HVOR gain was 500 microgram/kg. The time required to reduce the HVOR gain to 50% of its maximal reduction at dose of 400 microgram/kg (0.4 Hz +/- 10 degrees) was 60 s. These data suggest that diazepam might be effective as an anti-motion-sickness agent.
D000818:Animals; D003975:Diazepam / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000187:drug effects; D011817:Rabbits; D012018:Reflex / Q000187:drug effects*; D012665:Semicircular Canals / Q000187:drug effects; D014726:Vestibular Nuclei / Q000187:drug effects
D003975:Diazepam