Gamma-hydroxybutyrate : molecular, functional and clinical aspects / edited by Godfrey Tunnicliff and Christopher D. Cash.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Tunnicliff, Godfrey.

Cash, Christopher D.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

GABA.

Neurochemistry.

GABA--Therapeutic use.

Sodium Oxybate--metabolism.

Brain--metabolism.

Sodium Oxybate--therapeutic use.

Medical Subjects:

Sodium Oxybate--metabolism.

Brain--metabolism.

Sodium Oxybate--therapeutic use.

Physical Description:

xi, 252 pages, iv pages of plates : illustrations (some color) ; 26 cm

Place of Publication:

London ; New York : Taylor & Francis, 2002.

Summary:

The discovery that gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) is a naturally occurring metabolite of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA has opened up completely new avenues of neuroscience research. One noteworthy pharmacological property of GHB is that it can affect absence seizure-type activity in animals, which has led to an important model of petit mal epilepsy. Recently however, GHB has gained a reputation as a popular drug of abuse with its attendant toxicological risks. Nevertheless, it has some redeeming features as it is being investigated for its efficacy in treating sleep disorders, drug addiction and fibromyalgia. Indeed, it is expected that GHB will soon be marketed in the USA as a treatment for narcolepsy. This book has brought together the combined expertise of many leading authorities on the biochemistry, physiology and pharmacology of GHB in the central nervous system, with each chapter providing an in-depth review of a particular field. It will be a valuable resource for all neurobiologists, clinicians and other health-care workers who see the results of the misuse of this fascinating chemical but who also anticipate its valuable therapeutic uses.

Contents:

1 Metabolism and distribution of [gamma]-hydroxybutyrate in the brain / E. E. Kaufman 1

2 The [gamma]-hydroxybutyrate receptor in the brain / C. D. Cash, G. Tunnicliff 17

3 Part of the pharmacological actions of [gamma]-hydroxybutyrate are mediated by GABA[subscript B] receptors / R. Bernasconi, P. Mathivet, U. Otten, B. Bettler, S. Bischoff, C. Marescaux 28

4 Membrane transport of [gamma]-hydroxybutyrate / G. Tunnicliff 64

5 Action of [gamma]-hydroxybutyrate on neuronal excitability and underlying membrane conductances / V. Crunelli, N. Leresche 75

6 Regulation of central dopamine by [gamma]-hydroxybutyrate / S. G. Howard, P. K. Banerjee 111

7 Effects of [gamma]-hydroxybutyrate on sleep / R. Godbout, J. Montplaisir 120

8 [gamma]-Hydroxybutyrate and absence seizure activity / O. C. Snead 132

9 Behavioral pharmacology of [gamma]-hydroxybutyrate / G. Colombo, C. Lobina, G. L. Gessa 150

10 Therapeutic uses of [gamma]-hydroxybutyrate / R. Agabio, G. L. Gessa 169

11 Abuse potential and toxicology of [gamma]-hydroxybutyrate / B. U. Raess, G. Tunnicliff 188

12 4-Hydroxybutyric aciduria / K. M. Gibson 197

13 [gamma]-Hydroxybutyrate and oxidative stress / M. Mamelak, D. Hyndman 218

14 The role of [gamma]-hydroxybutyrate in brain function / M. Maitre, V. Kemmel, C. Andriamampandry, S. Gobaille, D. Aunis 236.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

0415284996

OCLC:

49943039