Drug Effects on the Medial Vestibular Nucleus

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Abstract
The effect of dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) and diazepam (Valium) on the spontaneous neuronal activity of the medial vestibular nucleus in the cat was investigated. For this purpose, only tonic vestibular type I or II neurons were selected stereotaxically and then typed by angular acceleration. Spike frequencies were calculated with an on-line instrument computer and evaluated by statistical methods. Dimenhydrinate has no effect on the vestibular system (at second-order neuron or below) at physiologic levels of the drug. Diazepam depresses vestibular activity at physiologic levels of the drug. The site of action of diazepam in producing this effect could be on the vestibular system itself, or more likely in depressing the facilitatory system of the reticular formation, with which it has direct connections.

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