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Two γ-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) analogues, trans -γ-hydroxycrotonic acid (t-HCA) and γ-(p-methoxybenzyl)-γ-hydroxybutyric acid (NCS-435) displaced [3 H]GHB from GHB receptors with the same affinity as GHB but, unlike GHB, failed to displace [3 H]baclofen from GABAB receptors. The effect of the GHB analogues, GHB and baclofen, on G protein activity and hippocampal extracellular glutamate levels was compared. While GHB and baclofen stimulated 5′-O-(3-[35 S]thiotriphospate) [35 S]GTPγS binding both in cortex homogenate and cortical slices, t-HCA and NCS-435 were ineffective up to 1 m m concentration. GHB and baclofen effect was suppressed by the GABAB antagonist CGP 35348 but not by the GHB receptor antagonist NCS-382. Perfused into rat hippocampus, 500 n m and 1 m m GHB increased and decreased extracellular glutamate levels, respectively. GHB stimulation was suppressed by NCS-382, while GHB inhibition by CGP 35348. t-HCA and NCS-435 (0.1–1000 µ m ) locally perfused into hippocampus increased extracellular glutamate; this effect was inhibited by NCS-382 (10 µ m ) but not by CGP 35348 (500 µ m ). The results indicate that GHB-induced G protein activation and reduction of glutamate levels are GABAB -mediated effects, while the increase of glutamate levels is a GHB-mediated effect. Neither t-HCA nor NCS-435 reproduced GHB sedative/hypnotic effect in mice, confirming that this effect is GABAB -mediated. The GHB analogues constitute important tools for understanding the physiological role of endogenous GHB and its receptor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]