Document Detail


Genetic influences on motion sickness susceptibility in adult women: a classical twin study.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  17086768     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
BACKGROUND: Motion sickness is a common and potentially debilitating condition that characteristically occurs in situations of conflicting sensory input. While the precise stimuli that give rise to this trait are increasingly well characterized, the underlying determinants of individual susceptibility to motion sickness remain unclear. This study uses a classical twin design to assess the influence of genetic and environmental factors. METHODS: A postal survey was conducted in an age-matched sample of 3652 monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) adult female twins selected from the TwinsUK Registry. Study participants were asked to complete items from a validated questionnaire relating to their lifetime susceptibility to motion sickness. The relative contribution of genetic and environmental factors to motion sickness susceptibility was assessed using variance components analysis. RESULTS: The response rate to the questionnaire was 78%. Approximately 40% of respondents reported at least moderate susceptibility to motion sickness. The pattern of responses among twins indicated a significant genetic contribution with heritability for a motion sickness factor score estimated as 57% (95% CI: 51%, 63%). The heritability of recalled motion sickness was at its highest in childhood (70% [59%, 80%]) and declined through puberty and the early adult years. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The findings highlight the importance of genetic factors in determining an individual's underlying propensity to motion sickness and should stimulate the search for specific susceptibility genes.
Authors:
Caroline M Reavley; John F Golding; Lynn F Cherkas; Tim D Spector; Alex J MacGregor
Related Documents :
9525488 - Spaceflight influences on ocular counterrolling and other neurovestibular reactions.
19911518 - Motion sickness with combined fore-aft and pitch oscillation: effect of phase and the v...
11543438 - The effect of microgravity on the autonomic nervous system of rhesus monkeys.
12056668 - Effect of frequency and direction of horizontal oscillation on motion sickness.
19354398 - Specificity of binaural perceptual learning for amplitude modulated tones: a comparison...
23616428 - Plasmonic and catalytic aupd nanowheels for the efficient conversion of light into chem...
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Twin Study    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Aviation, space, and environmental medicine     Volume:  77     ISSN:  0095-6562     ISO Abbreviation:  Aviat Space Environ Med     Publication Date:  2006 Nov 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2006-11-07     Completed Date:  2007-01-17     Revised Date:  2007-08-13    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  7501714     Medline TA:  Aviat Space Environ Med     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  1148-52     Citation Subset:  IM; S    
Affiliation:
Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology Unit, Kings College, London, UK.
Export Citation:
APA/MLA Format     Download EndNote     Download BibTex
MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adult
Diseases in Twins / genetics*
Factor Analysis, Statistical
Female
Genetic Predisposition to Disease*
Humans
Middle Aged
Motion Sickness / genetics*
Questionnaires
Grant Support
ID/Acronym/Agency:
//Wellcome Trust

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


Previous Document:  Normobaric hypoxia inhalation test vs. response to airline flight in healthy passengers.
Next Document:  CNS oxygen toxicity in closed-circuit diving: signs and symptoms before loss of consciousness.