Medical Condition:
Lactone, 4-Hydroxybutyric Acid
An endogenous compound, made from gamma-aminobutyrate and the precursor of gamma-hydroxybutyrate, it is also used as a pharmacological agent. It apparently acts as a modulator at the picrotoxin binding site of GABA-A receptors, and may also affect GABA-B receptors. It is used mainly as an experimental tool. Among other systemic effects, it causes increase of brain dopamine by inhibiting its release from nerve terminals. It is also used as an industrial solvent and precursor.