A proposed preventive role for Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (XyremR) in Alzheimer's disease

Abstract

Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB or XyremR) is frequently used in humans for several clinical indications, including anesthesia, narcolepsy/cataplexy, and alcohol-withdrawal symptoms. Pharmacological effects induced in the brain by therapeutic doses of XyremR are generally GABAergic-dependent. These effects allow sedation, stress/anxiety reduction, deep sleep induction, decrease of neuroinflammation, and neuroprotection. Furthermore, XyremR promotes the expression of pivotal genes reducing toxic proteinopathies, as demonstrated in laboratory animal models. Altogether, these data represent additional evidence to suggest that XyremR may be tested during repeated short periods in populations at risk for Alzheimer's disease.