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Effect of low doses of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid on serotonin, noradrenaline, and dopamine concentrations in rat brain areas

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Abstract

The effects of intraperitoneal administration of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) on biogenic amine levels in hemispheres, hypothalamus, midbrain, and medulla-pons, and on tryptophan in serum and brain, were studied. One hour after GHB administration (50 and 100 mg/kg) significant increases of dopamine concentration were observed in the hemispheres with both doses and in the hypothalamus with the higher dose, but a significant decrease of noradrenaline in the hypothalamus. No significant changes of serotonin metabolism were observed. These results indicate that low doses of GHB selectively affect the catecholaminergic neuronal activity.

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Míguez, I., Aldegunde, M., Duran, R. et al. Effect of low doses of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid on serotonin, noradrenaline, and dopamine concentrations in rat brain areas. Neurochem Res 13, 531–533 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00973292

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