What is GHB and how does it work? Flashcards
What is GHB?
A drug that is used as a date rape
What kind of receptor is GABAb?
A GPCR
How does the GABAb system work?
As a dimer (i.e. you need two of them activated to create an effect)
What are the two halves of the dimer that are required to carry out a signal?
- GABAb1
2. GABAb2
What is the function of the GABAb1 receptor?
The activator
What is the function of the GABAb2 receptor?
the signaller
Describe the cascade of GABAb?
GABAb acts on NMDA receptors
- Alpha subunit cleaves; the beta-gamma subunit goes on to negatively influence voltage-gated Ca2+ channels
- alpha subunit acts on Gi pathway (inhibits adenylyl cylcase from making cAMP from ATP)
- NMDA receptor has to be phosphorylated by protein kinase a to be activated
How does the GABAb receptor inhibit the NMDA receptor?
By preventing phosphorylation (therefore it inhibits the excitatory response)
What do presynaptic GABAb receptors prevent?
Ca2+ from causing vesicle to dock and release NTs
What does GHB stand for?
gamma hydroxybuterate
What is GHB synthesized from?
GABA
Describe the synthesis of GHB?
succinic semialdehide makes GHB from GABA
What does a low dose of GHB produce?
Excitement and euphoria (with some memory problems)
What is liquid X?
GHB at low doses (is paired with other club drugs)
What do moderate doses of GHB produce?
More memory problems and sedation