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Clinical Chemistry 47: 2033-2034, 2001;
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(Clinical Chemistry. 2001;47:2033-2034.)
© 2001 American Association for Clinical Chemistry, Inc.

Technical Briefs

Window of Detection of {gamma}-Hydroxybutyrate in Blood and Saliva

Pascal Kintz1a, Jean-Pierre Goullé2, Vincent Cirimele1 and Bertrand Ludes1

1 Institut de Médecine Légale, 11 rue Humann, F-67000 Strasbourg, France

2 Centre Hospitalier du Havre, 76083 Le Havre, France

aauthor for correspondence: fax 33-3-90-24-33-62, e-mail pascal.kintz@wanadoo.fr

{gamma}-Hydroxybutyrate (GHB) is an endogenous constituent of the brain, produced by the metabolism of {gamma}-aminobutyric acid and believed to play a role in neurotransmission (1). GHB is a suppressant of the central nervous system that is used in some countries as an anesthetic adjunct and is also sometimes used in treating sleep disorders and alcoholism (2). The primary effects of GHB are those of a depressant and can include reducing inhibition, increasing libido, and causing amnesia, seizure, unconsciousness, coma, and death.

In recent years, GHB has gained popularity as an illicit drug. It is abused by young people at nightclubs or raves, mainly for its euphorigenic and hallucinogenic effects. The drug has been promoted among bodybuilders because it is alleged to possess anabolic properties. Moreover, criminals can use GHB to narcotize potential victims, and therefore, the drug is used in drug-facilitated sexual assaults resulting from sedation and reduced inhibitions (3).

GHB has a half-life of 20–53 min, which appears to increase with higher doses (4). Because the . . . [Full Text of this Article]


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