title: Baclofen affects the semicircular canals but not the otoliths in humans.
abstract: CONCLUSIONS
  This study showed that GABAB agonist baclofen (10 mg) affects the semicircular canals (SCCs), both centrally and peripherally, but does not influence the otolithic function.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to identify the effects of baclofen on the complete vestibular system, i.e. semicircular canals, saccules and utricles.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study had a double-blind, placebo-controlled, repeated measures design and was conducted on healthy male volunteers. With electronystagmography (ENG), the SCC function was evaluated, whereas utricular function was determined by means of unilateral centrifugation (UC). Cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (cVEMPs) tested saccular integrity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Baclofen caused a significant increase of the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) phase and a significant decrease of the total caloric response (TCR), both measured during ENG. The drug also decreased the maximal contribution of the SCCs to ocular counter-rolling (OCR) evaluated during UC. No effects on saccules and utricules were observed.
authors.affiliation: Antwerp University Research Center for Equilibrium and Aerospace (AUREA), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
authors.forename: Aurelie P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Weerts
authors.forename: Robby
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vanspauwen
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fransen
authors.forename: Philippe G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Jorens
authors.forename: Paul H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Van de Heyning
authors.forename: Floris L
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Wuyts
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001418:Baclofen / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004584:Electronystagmography; D058786:GABA-B Receptor Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010037:Otolithic Membrane / Q000187:drug effects*; D012665:Semicircular Canals / Q000187:drug effects*; D018489:Space Motion Sickness / Q000517:prevention & control*; D058585:Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D058786:GABA-B Receptor Agonists; D001418:Baclofen