Characterization of the Prosocial and Prosexual Effects of GHB

About This Study

The purpose of this study is to determine whether gamma-Hydroxybutyrate (GHB) has prosocial and prosexual effects in healthy male participants, and to characterize these putative effects via behavioral tests, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), electroencephalography (EEG), and neuroendocrine parameters. The investigators predict that GHB in fact has prosocial and prosexual effects which can be neurobiologically characterized using the assessed methods. Such effects would be of high interest for the treatment of mental disorders which involve impairments of social interaction and sexual function such as major depression or autism.

Conditions Studied

Interventions

• •GHB 35 mg/kg p.o.
• •GHB 20 mg/kg p.o.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

* Healthy male subjects.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Any Axis-I DSM-IV psychiatric disorder, any form of addiction or regular illegal drug use (lifetime use \>5 occasions) with exception of occasional cannabis use, a lifetime history of GHB use, a neurological disorder or head injury, clinically relevant medical diseases, a family history of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, and any use of prescription drugs.

Study Locations (1)