Central action of cinnarizine and flunarizine: A saccadic eye movement study

The mechanism of action of flunarizine (FZ) and cinnarizine (CZ) on the CNS is not fully understood. Computer analysis of saccadic eye movements (SEM) provides a sensitive and objective method for evaluating drug effect on the function of specific brain structures. This study aimed to assess the effect of a single oral dose of FZ (20 mg) and CZ (150 mg) on CNS function by means of computer analysis of SEM. Ten healthy volunteers were studied according to a double-blind, cross-over, placebo-controlled design. Peak saccadic velocity (PSV), which is related to the function of a specific group of burst neurons located in the brain stem, was significantly reduced by FZ. No significant effect of …