Acute effect of flunarizine on saccadic eye movements.

It has been postulated that flunarizine (FNZ) acts on the brain through a stabilizing effect on membrane electrical activity of neurones. It has been also suggested that neurogenic events characterized by an increased tendency of nerve cells to fire, could be involved in the pathogenesis of migraine and epilepsy. The study was aimed to assess the effect of a single oral dose of FNZ (20 mg) on CNS specific functions by means of computer analysis of saccadic eye movements. The study was performed on six healthy volunteers according to a double-blind, cross-over, placebo controlled design. FNZ produced a significant reduction only of peak saccadic velocity, thus suggesting a rather specific and selective effect on the burst cells of the para-median pontine reticular formation.