Correlation of Blood Levels of 4-Hydroxybutyrate with State of Consciousness

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Blood levels were correlated with clinical observations following the intravenous administration of 4-hydroxybutyrate in the unpremedicated patient. The blood level rose rapidly immediately following injection and then fell in a biphasic fashion. The peak clinical effect lagged behind the peak blood levels suggesting activity by means of a metabolite rather than the parent compound. There is evidence to suggest that the intercur-rent administration of thiobarbiturate produces a rise in the blood level of 4-hydroxybutyrate.