A controlled, double-blind study was carried out to determine whether nystagmus response to optokinetic or vestibular stimuli might be altered by some agent contained in powdered ginger root (Zingiber officinale). For comparative purposes, the test subjects were examined after medication with ginger root, placebo and with dimenhydrinate. Eye movements were recorded using standard ENG equipment and evaluation was performed by automatic nystagmus analysis. It could be demonstrated that the effect of ginger root did not differ from that found at baseline, or with placebo, i.e. it had no influence on the experimentally induced nystagmus. Dimenhydrinate, on the other hand, was found to cause a reduction in the nystagmus response to caloric, rotatory and optokinetic stimuli. From the present study it can be concluded that neither the vestibular nor the oculomotor system, both of which are of decisive importance in the occurrence of motion sickness, are influenced by ginger. A CNS mechanism, which is characteristic of the conventional anti-motion sickness drugs, can thus be excluded as regards ginger root. It is more likely that any reduction of motion-sickness symptoms derives from the influence of the ginger root agents on the gastric system.

No abstract

Cervically induced eye movements consist of a nystagmus and a deviation of the mean eye position (shift). They show in relation to different neck torsion velocities maximum reactions at slow velocities. The clinical significance of these cervico-ocular reactions is discussed controversially. Therefore we investigated 40 healthy subjects without any neurootological findings, who, in addition, underwent a manual examination. The neck torsion test was performed automatically with quantifiable stimulus parameters and a complete head fixation by means of individual dental casts. It could be shown that at a constant chair velocity of 5 degrees/s every healthy subject exhibits cervical nystagmus and/or shift deviations. In comparison a group of 30 patients with an upper cervical spine syndrome also showed similar cervico-ocular reactions without significant difference. It can be concluded that a muscle hypertonus in the deep neck region does not lead to pathological, cervically induced eye movements and that the cervical nystagmus itself is not a pathognomonic sign for cervical, proprioceptive vertigo.

Einleitung Ca. 90 % der Bevolkerung industrialisierter Lander hat mindestens einmal im Leben unter Reisekrankheit gelitten (29). Tatsächlich kann jeder Mensch, der intakte Gleichgewichtsorgane verfugt, reisekrank werden. Unter den Bewegungskrankheiten (Kinetosen) gelten vor allem aber für die Seekrankheit spezielle Gesichtspunkte, die für ihre Entstehung, Prävention und Behandlung von Bedeutung sind. Auerdem sind während einer Schiffsreise die Reizkonstellationen, die Ubelkeit auslösen können, besonders stark ausgeprägt und halten in der Regel langer an als in anderen Fortbewegungsmitteln. Als erste Symptome treten Arbeitsunlust, Gähnzwang und Blässe auf. Im weiteren Verlauf kommen dann zunehmende Mudigkeit, Hypersalivation, kaltes Schwitzen, Aufstofen und Ubelkeit hinzu. Schlief1ich erbricht der Seekranke, ohne daf er dadurch eine wesentliche Erleichterung verspürt. Das Endstadium ist durch Apathie, sogar Vernichtungsangst gepragt. Nicht nur diejenige Ehefrau eines passionierten Seglers, die mehr oder weniger gezwungenerma1en das Hobby ihres Mannes teilt, auch alte Seebären können betroffen sein. Bei diesen kommt noch hinzu, daf. die operationellen Fahigkeiten, also alles was mit der Schiffsführung zusammenhangt, durch die Seekrankheit erheblich beeintrachtigt sein können. Die Seekrankheit war in der Geschichte immer wieder Anlaf für mystische Vorstellungen ihre Ursachen sowie irrationate und sogar schädliche Therapieversuche (9, 31). Napoleons Leibarzt D. J. Larrey z. B. war der Auffassung, daI fortwährende Commotiones der Hirnmassen der Grund allen Ubels seien und daI daher junge und intelligente Leute, bei denen das Gehirn groI und weich sei,

A study was performed to determine whether the predominant direction of body sway is influenced by changes of head-to-trunk position. A group of ten patients suffering from acute unilateral vestibular loss was compared with a group of ten healthy subjects. Body sway was assessed by measurement on a posture platform. Center-of-force stabilograms were recorded with the subjects' eyes closed. After a baseline interval in the normal head-to trunk orientation, the head was torsioflexed with respect to the trunk and the locus of the center-of-force further assessed over a defined interval. It was observed that the patient group manifested a systematic translation of the direction of body sway that was associated in a consistent manner with the unilateral deficit. This translation occurred synchronously with head torsioflexion and could also be reproduced when turning the trunk with the head fixed, so that a semicircular canal influence could be excluded. It appears that cervical proprioceptive input to the central vestibular system is responsible for the effect observed.