creatine supplement affects cervical vestibular myogenic potentials in healthy volunteers

background and aim: creatine is an energy-supplying protein in neuromuscular system with a protective role in relieving neurological symptoms. since the enzymes and other mechanism involved in the conversion of creatine in the inner ear and vestibular nuclei are found in abundance, the aim of this study was to measure the effects of creatine on cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (cvemp) parameters. methods: in this double-blind study, 35 healthy males aged 20-25 were randomly divided into an interventional (given creatine monohydrate) and a placebo groups (given maltodextrin). participants received 5 g of dissolved powders in 250 ml water 4 times/days for 5 consecutive days. cervical myogenic potentials were recorded before and after intervention with 500 hz tone burst in 95 dbnhl. results: in intervention group, cvemp amplitudes increased from 41.86 to 55.71 μv and p13 and n23 latencies decreased from 13.81 and 22.61 to 13.32 and 21.69 ms, respectively. also thresholds decreased from 85.52 to 81.71dbnhl. all changes were statistically significant (p<0.05). conclusion: the improvement of vemp parameters following consumption of creatine supplement is likely due to increased sensitivity of saccule and vestibulocolic reflex pathway in normal subjects and maybe beneficial to patients with vestibular disorders.