Background

Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) has the potential to be a useful therapeutic agent in conditions such as narcolepsy and the treatment of drug abuse.  However, GHB  has the potential to be abused itself.

Research

Our NIH funded medicinal chemistry research into the GHB system concentrated on the preparation and evaluation of novel agents to further investigate this growing problem.  This work was performed in collaboration with Drs. France, Lamb, and Ticku (University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio (UTHSCSA)).  We gratefully acknowledge NIDA (DA-14986 and K02 DA-19634) for funding this research.

Publications

1. H. Wu, N. Zink, L. P. Carter, A. K. Mehta, R. J. Hernandez, M. Ticku, R. Lamb, C. France, and A. Coop: A Tertiary Alcohol Analog of Gamma-Hydroxybutyric Acid as a Specfic Gamma-Hydroxybutyric Acid Receptor Ligand. J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 2003, 305, 675-679.

2. A. T. Macias, R. J. Hernandez, A. K. Metha, A. D. MacKerell, M. K. Ticku, A. Coop: 3-Chloropropanoic Acid (UMB66): A Ligand for the Gamma-Hydroxybutyric Acid Receptor Lacking a 4-Hydroxyl Group. Bioorg. Med. Chem. 2004, 12, 1643-1647.

3. L. P. Carter, W. Chen, H. Wu, A. K. Mehta, R. J. Hernandez, M. K. Ticku, A. Coop, W. Koek, C. P. France: Comparison of the Behavioral Effects of Gamma-Hydroxybutyric Acid (GHB) and its 4-Methyl-Substituted Analog, Gamma-Hydroxyvaleric Acid (GHV). Drug Alcohol Depend. 2005, 78, 91-99.

Also see Coop's CV

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