NEUROCHEMICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF THE ROLE OF y-HYDROXYBUTYRIC ACID AS A NATURAL SOPORIFIC

Resumen

The following aspects of the role of γ-hydroxybutyric acid (GHBA) in the CNS are reviewed in the present paper.
1. The administration of GHBA or its lactone to mammals produces a sleep condition similar to the natural one.
2. Electrophysiological studies have shown that the activity of the reticular formation is probably involved in the soporific effect of GHBA, although this compound does not seem to act as a synaptic transmitter.
3. GHBA is a normal constituent of brain tissue. Among the several possible biosynthetic pathways which could be responsible for its synthesis in this tissue, the Î³ -aminobutyric-acid-succinic semialdehyde pathway seems to be the most probable.
4. GHBA is rapidly metabolized to CO₂ and H₂O. T he biochemical reactions involved in this degradation are not known.
5. Little is known on the biochemical mechanisms underlying the soporific action of GHBA. It seems possible that modifications of dopamine and serotonin metabolism in certain areas of the CNS are involved. The possible participation of other alcohols derived from biogenic amines in sleep mechanisms is also discussed.