Intravenous self-administration of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid in drug-naive mice

M C Martellotta; G Cossu; L Fattore; G L Gessa; W Fratta

doi:10.1016/s0924-977x(97)00087-4

Intravenous self-administration of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid in drug-naive mice

Eur Neuropsychopharmacol. 1998 Dec;8(4):293-6. doi: 10.1016/s0924-977x(97)00087-4.

Authors

M C Martellotta¹, G Cossu, L Fattore, G L Gessa, W Fratta

Affiliation

¹ B.B. Brodie Department of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari, Italy.

PMID: 9928919
DOI: 10.1016/s0924-977x(97)00087-4

Abstract

The reinforcing effects of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) were studied by means of intravenous self-administration in drug-naive mice. GHB self-administration was concentration-dependent (0.01-0.5 mg/kg/inj.) according to a bell-shaped curve. Pretreatment with the specific GHB receptor antagonist NCS-382 at a dose of 12.5 mg/kg i.p. completely antagonized the reinforcing effects of GHB. These data suggest that GHB is able to induce reinforcing effects in mice and support the hypothesis of an abuse liability of this drug.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
Conditioning, Operant
Hydroxybutyrates / pharmacology*
Injections, Intravenous
Male
Mice
Mice, Inbred Strains
Self Administration

Substances

Hydroxybutyrates
4-hydroxybutyric acid