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

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.