title: Slow wave sleep and a state resembling absence epilepsy induced in the rat by gamma-hydroxybutyrate.
abstract: The effect of gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) in relatively low doses (12.5--200 mg/kg) on sleep stages, electrocorticogram (ECoG) patterns and behavior was investigated in the rat. 50-100 mg/kg GHB induced slow wave sleep but, in contrast to the cat, not paradoxical sleep. 200 mg/kg induced a hypersynchronous, bilaterally symmetrical ECoG pattern, which was different in amplitude and frequency distribution from normally occurring high amplitude patterns. When the hypersynchrony occurred in bursts, the rats displayed a sudden arrest of motor behavior. Convulsions were not induced. The results, together with the finding of others that GHB is a natural constituent of mammalian brain and our previous observation that the GHB-induced hypersynchrony can be antagonized by anti-absence (anti-petit mal) drugs are discussed in view of the possibility that GHB might play a role in the etiology of absence epilepsy in man.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004576:Electromyography; D004832:Epilepsy, Absence / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006885:Hydroxybutyrates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D012894:Sleep Stages / Q000187:drug effects*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D006885:Hydroxybutyrates