title: [Gamma-hydroxybutyrate--a neurotransmitter, medicine, and drug].
abstract: Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) is a short fatty acid and physiologic neurotransmitter. Initially, it was synthesized as a GABA agonist and used as a narcotic agent, because it rapidly induces sleep without major cardiovascular or respiratory side effects. Recently, a specific GHB receptor was identified, but while the clinical use of GHB as an anaesthetic was reduced due to putative pro-convulsive effects, it now is used to treat alcohol withdrawal and sleep disorders. Furthermore, GHB was postulated to be a regulator of energy metabolism, and tissue-protective effects were demonstrated in different animal models. Besides its clinical use, GHB (also called "liquid ecstasy") is increasingly consumed in the disco scene because of its mild sedative and euphoric effects. Intoxication from GHB is common with GHB users. For this reason and because GHB is not easy to detect, it is important to be aware of the symptoms of GHB intoxication. Moreover, some recent case reports document the danger of GHB dependence.
authors.affiliation: Neurologische Klinik und Poliklinik, Charité Campus Mitte, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Schumannstrasse. george.trendelenburg@charite.de
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Trendelenburg
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ströhle
mesh_terms: D000430:Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium / Q000188:drug therapy; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012978:Sodium Oxybate / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D012978:Sodium Oxybate