Sensory signals for nausea

Nausea serves as a protective response against harmful ingested stimuli but can also be experienced as a discomforting aspect of various conditions. Recent insights have emerged regarding neural pathways and molecular mechanisms linked to this sensation. This often involves complex interactions of interoceptive neural pathways with the digestive, endocrine, and immune systems. This review summarizes recent findings using non-emetic (e.g., rodents) and emetic (e.g., ferrets, shrews, dogs) mammalian models to explore the molecular mechanisms of nausea, particularly in understudied malaise states. By investigating how nausea is triggered across different contexts, we aim to clarify the general sensory principles governing this response and to promote a shift in therapeutic research - from a top-down, observational paradigm to a bottom-up, mechanism-driven approach.