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Effect of tryptophan depletion on symptoms of motion sickness in migraineurs

From the School of Psychology, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Peter Drummond, School of Psychology, Murdoch University, Perth 6150, Western Australia; e-mail: p.drummond{at}murdoch.edu.au.

Seven hours after 39 migraineurs and 37 controls consumed an amino acid drink that contained or omitted l-tryptophan (thereby reducing brain serotonin synthesis), motion sickness was provoked by the visual illusion of movement. Tryptophan depletion boosted dizziness, nausea, and the illusion of movement in controls to levels that approached those of migraineurs. Thus, reduced brain serotonin activity may promote vestibuloocular disturbances during motion sickness and attacks of migraine.

Supported by grants from the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia and the U.K. Migraine Trust.

Disclosure: The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Received January 10, 2005. Accepted in final form April 22, 2005.

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