@article{ref1,
title="Cognitive impairment due to intensive use and overdoses of gammahydroxybutyric acid (GHB)",
journal="Tijdschrift voor Psychiatrie",
year="2012",
author="van Amsterdam, J. G. C. and Brunt, T. M. and McMaster, M. T. B. and Niesink, R. and van Noorden, M. S. and van den Brink, W.",
volume="54",
number="12",
pages="1001-1010",
abstract="BACKGROUND: In several countries, including the Netherlands, the use of <span class=&quot;abbreviation&quot;>ghb</span> seems to be increasing. Many recreational users of <span class=&quot;abbreviation&quot;>ghb</span> consider the drug to be harmless and to have no serious side effects. In recent years the number of patients with <span class=&quot;abbreviation&quot;>ghb</span> addition has been increasing steadily. AIM: To draw attention to the possible development of neurotoxicity due to chronic and intensive use of GBH. METHOD: We reviewed the literature using PubMed. RESULTS: Several studies point to an increase in the number of incidents arising from the risky use of <span class=&quot;abbreviation&quot;>ghb</span> or from a <span class=&quot;abbreviation&quot;>ghb </span>overdose. Other drugs, such as ketamine and alcohol, are known to cause neurotoxicity, leading to cognitive impairment. As outlined in this review article, <span class=&quot;abbreviation&quot;>ghb</span>, alcohol and ketamine show clear similarities in their mechanism of action. This suggests that <span class=&quot;abbreviation&quot;>ghb</span> might have almost the same neurotoxic effects as ketamine and alcohol. An overdose of <span class=&quot;abbreviation&quot;>ghb</span>, just like binge-drinking and a high dose of ketamine, may lead to a coma that probably harms the brain, particularly if comas occur repeatedly. CONCLUSION: The risk of neurotoxicity is likely to increase with chronic, intensive use of <span class=&quot;abbreviation&quot;>ghb</span>, which is a feature of <span class=&quot;abbreviation&quot;>ghb</span>-addition. We therefore advocate research into the possible toxic effects of <span class=&quot;abbreviation&quot;>ghb i</span>n the long term, involving, for instance, the study of lasting effects on the cognitive functions of <span class=&quot;abbreviation&quot;>ghb</span> users and former users.<p /> <p>Language: nl</p>",
language="nl",
issn="0303-7339",
doi="",
url="http://dx.doi.org/"
}