Effects of Some Antimotion Sickness Drugs and Secobarbital on Postural Equilibrium Functions at Sea Level and at 12,000 Feet (Simulated)

摘要

The study was undertaken to determine the effects of six antimotion sickness drugs, three placebos, and secobarbital on postural equilibrium functions at sea level and at 12,000 feet (chamber simulated). These effects, as defined by performance on a quantitative ataxia test battery, were investigated on nine normal men. Analysis of variance revealed that, relative to the other drugs and placebos, only secobarbital had a deleterious effect on the performance skills studied--both at sea level and at 12,000 feet--whereas none of the antimotion sickness drugs alone or in combination differed significantly from placebos in having such an effect in either environment. This finding was highly consistent and in keeping with the known depressant effects of secobarbital on CNS activity. Among the antimotion sickness drugs, only the combination of d-amphetamine (10 mg) plus scopolamine (0.6 mg) at altitude had a significant enhancing effect on performance relative to the reverse (depressing) effect found at sea level. (Author)