gamma-Hydroxybutyrate uptake by rat brain striatal slices was studied. The uptake was saturable with a Km of 702 +/- 107.10(-6) M. gamma-Hydroxybutyrate uptake was sodium dependent and inhibited by the omission of potassium. In addition, the effect of ouabain suggests that the transport is dependent on a cation gradient. Several analogues of gamma-hydroxybutyrate inhibit the transport system. GABA has no significant effect. This energy and cation dependent transport system is in favor of a transmitter or modulator role of gamma-hydroxybutyrate in the rat brain striatum.