4-Hydroxy-4-methylpentanoic acid (UMB68) is a tertiary alcohol, similar in structure to the drug
GHB
''gamma''-Hydroxybutyric acid (or γ-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), also known as 4-hydroxybutanoic acid) is a naturally occurring neurotransmitter and a depressant drug. It is a precursor to GABA, glutamate, and glycine in certain brain areas. ...
. The molecule has been synthesized and tested on animals in order to further research the effects of GHB. UMB68 has been shown to bind selectively to the
GHB receptor ligand in binding assays, yet does not bind to
GABAergic receptors. As such, it can provide a useful tool in studying the pharmacology of the GHB receptor in absence of GABAergic effects.
References
Tertiary alcohols
Drugs acting on the nervous system
Hydroxy acids
GHB receptor agonists
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