Thioperamide delays vestibular compensation in goldfish

Unilateral lesion of the vestibular system induces posturo-locomotor deficits that are compensated for with time. Drug therapy is currently used to improve the recovery process and to facilitate vestibular compensation. We investigated the effects of thioperamide on functional recovery after unilateral labyrinthectomy in Carassius auratus. Approximately 24h after surgery, the animals were injected intraperitoneally with thioperamide (15mg/kg) and saline (1.5ml/kg). The injections were repeated daily for a total of 15 consecutive days. The substances were administered in a volume of 1.5ml/kg body weight. Another group, which served as a non-lesion control, did not receive unilateral labyrinthectomy or system injections. Animals treated with saline presented a compensatory decrease in body tilt on the 7th day, while the animals treated with thioperamide presented a decrease in body tilt from the 13th day, suggesting a delay in the functional recovery process. These results suggest that an increase in cerebral histamine levels impairs vestibular compensation in goldfish.