García F B, Pedraza C, Navarro J F
Departamento de Psicología, Facultad de Psicología , Universidad de Malaga, Espana.
Rev Neurol. 2006;43(1):39-48.
The article offers an updated review of the main pharmacological aspects of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), as well as its clinical and behavioural effects.
A number of pharmacological, neurochemical and electrophysiological studies have clearly shown that endogenous GHB plays a role as a neurotransmitter and/or neuromodulator in the central nervous system (CNS). GHB displays specific synthesis, release and reuptake mechanisms, as well as particular binding sites that suggest the existence of a central GHBergic system. This substance, popularly known as 'liquid ecstasy', is also a potentially abusable drug; if administered for prolonged periods of time it can lead to dependence and withdrawal symptoms after the patient stops taking it. Its chief behavioural actions include sedation/sleepiness, induction of absence seizures, catalepsy or reduced aggression, among others. Some of these effects appear to be related to an interaction that has been reported to exist between the GHBergic system and the dopaminergic and GABAergic receptors in the CNS. From the clinical point of view, its use has been approved in some countries to treat the narcoleptic syndrome, and it has also been considered for possible use in the treatment of alcohol or opiate abuse. Finally, recent studies conducted with laboratory animals suggest the existence of a possible neurotoxic effect following prolonged administration in abusable dosages.
GHB is an extraordinarily interesting compound. It acts as a neurotransmitter/neuromodulator in the CNS. It is also an abusable recreational drug and may also be used to treat a number of different pathological conditions, the most important of which is narcolepsy. The possible development of neurotoxicity following prolonged administration, however, imposes considerable limitations on its usefulness in clinical contexts.
本文对γ-羟基丁酸（GHB）的主要药理学方面及其临床和行为效应进行了更新综述。
多项药理学、神经化学和电生理学研究清楚地表明，内源性GHB在中枢神经系统（CNS）中作为神经递质和/或神经调节剂发挥作用。GHB具有特定的合成、释放和再摄取机制，以及特定的结合位点，这表明存在一个中枢GHB能系统。这种物质俗称“液体摇头丸”，也是一种有潜在滥用可能的药物；如果长期服用，患者停药后会导致依赖和戒断症状。其主要行为作用包括镇静/嗜睡、引发失神发作、僵住症或减少攻击性等。其中一些效应似乎与据报道存在于中枢神经系统中的GHB能系统与多巴胺能和GABA能受体之间的相互作用有关。从临床角度来看，其使用在一些国家已被批准用于治疗发作性睡病综合征，并且也被考虑可能用于治疗酒精或阿片类药物滥用。最后，最近对实验动物进行的研究表明，以可滥用剂量长期给药后可能存在神经毒性作用。
GHB是一种极其有趣的化合物。它在中枢神经系统中作为神经递质/神经调节剂发挥作用。它也是一种可滥用的娱乐性药物，也可用于治疗多种不同的病理状况，其中最重要的是发作性睡病。然而，长期给药后可能出现的神经毒性限制了其在临床环境中的实用性。
