Migraine pain arises in the trigeminovascular system and is often associated with nausea and sometimes with vomiting. In this study, an in vivo cat model of trigeminovascular stimulation was used to determine first whether there is a functional connection between the trigeminovascular system and the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS), which is involved in regulating vomiting, and second whether anti-migraine drugs have any effect on such a connection. Chloralose-anaesthetised cats (n=16) were prepared for single neuron recording. The superior sagittal sinus (SSS) was isolated and stimulated electrically. The brainstem near the obex was exposed and a metal microelectrode equipped with six glass barrels for microiontophoresis was placed in the NTS. Recordings were made from 44 NTS neurons which responded to SSS stimulation with A-delta latencies. Iontophoretic ejection (50 nA) of eletriptan or naratriptan suppressed the response in 75% (15/20) and 78% (11/14) of cells and caused an average suppression of cell firing of 42+/-5% (n=20) and 54+/-8% (n=14), respectively. This suppression could be antagonized by the concurrent ejection (20-50 nA) of the 5-HT(1B/1D) receptor antagonist GR127935. We conclude that activation of the trigeminovascular system excites cells in the NTS that can be inhibited by eletriptan and naratriptan through activation of 5-HT(1B/1D) receptors. It is possible that in patients having a migraine attack trigeminovascular activation triggers nausea and vomiting, and that the alleviation of these symptoms by anti-migraine compounds may be via an action at 5-HT(1B/1D) receptors in the NTS.