title: Methylprednisolone reduces spontaneous nystagmus following unilateral labyrinthectomy in guinea pig.
abstract: The present study investigated the effects of methylprednisolone on the vestibular compensation process following unilateral labyrinthectomy in guinea pigs. A single injection of methylprednisolone (15, 30 or 60 mg/kg s.c.), 15 min pre-labyrinthectomy, had no significant effect on either the severity or the rate of compensation of spontaneous ocular nystagmus or yaw head tilt; roll head tilt showed a significant change in the rate of compensation (P < 0.005), due to increased roll head tilt in the 60 mg/kg group. However, a pre-labyrinthectomy injection of 30 mg/kg s.c. methylprednisolone followed by a second 30 mg/kg injection at 4 h post-labyrinthectomy resulted in a significant reduction in spontaneous nystagmus frequency (P < 0.005) and a significant change in the rate of spontaneous nystagmus compensation (P < 0.005). The additional 30 mg/kg injection had no significant effect on the magnitude or compensation of the postural symptoms. These results indicate that, at the optimal dose of 30 mg/kg, 2 injections of methylprednisolone (15 min pre-labyrinthectomy and 4 h post-labyrinthectomy) result in a significant reduction in spontaneous nystagmus frequency.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Jerram
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Darlington
authors.forename: P F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D007758:Ear, Inner / Q000601:surgery*; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009760:Nystagmus, Physiologic / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D008775:Methylprednisolone