Motion Sickness Genetic Variants Uncovered In 23andMe Study

First Posted: Feb 03, 2015 11:18 AM EST
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The privately held personal genomics and biotechnology company 23andMe has become the first to identify genetic variants associated with motion sickness--a condition that affects roughly one in three people.

"Until now there's been a poor understanding of the genetics of motion sickness, despite it being a fairly common condition," lead study author and 23andMe Scientist Bethann Hromatka, said in a news release. "With the help of 23andMe customers we've been able to uncover some of the underlying genetics of this condition. These findings could help provide clues about the causes of motion sickness and other related conditions, and how to treat them, which is very exciting."

For the study, researchers consented the participation of more than 80,000 23andMe customers and found that 35 genetic factors were associated with motion sickness at a genome-wide significant level. Many of the factors, also referred to as single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), are in or near genes that are involved in balance, and ear, eye and cranial development (e.g., PVRL3, TSHZ1, MUTED, HOXB3, HOXD3). Other nearby genes hold roles via motion sickness, such as the nervous system, glucose homeostasis or hypoxia. Resarchers also found that several of the SNPs display sex-specific effects that may hold up to three times stronger effects in women.

Study results found links to other health issues, including migraines, morning sickness and vertigo, as well as postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), with findings that point to the importance of the nervous system in motion sickness and the role of glucose levels when it comes to motion-induced vomiting and nausea. Furthermore, the study authors also believe that there may be an association between poor sleep habits or lifestyle and increased risk of motion sickness. 

More information regarding the findings can be seen via Oxford Journals' Human Molecular Genetics.

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