Researchers begin to decipher metabolism of sexual assault drug

Courtesy EurekAlert! - Chemistry, Physics and Materials Sciences  Thu, 11/19/2009 - 23:00

(Michigan Technological University) It's a naturally occurring brain chemical with an unwieldy name: 4-hydroxybutyrate (4-HB).

Taken by mouth, it can be abused or used as a date-rape drug.

Now, a team of Ohio and Michigan scientists have determined new routes by which 4-HB is metabolized by the body.

"This is new and important information," said K. Michael Gibson, professor and chair of biological sciences at Michigan Technological University and a member of the research team.

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