Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) reduces operant behavior without impairing working memory in rats responding under fixed-consecutive-number schedules

The use of gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), a therapeutic agent and recreational drug, has increased since the late 1990s. Researchers have primarily studied GHB's neurochemical, discriminative, and reinforcing effects, but little is known about the drug's effects on learning, memory, or other complex behavioral processes. This study examined the acute and chronic effects of GHB in rats responding under fixed-consecutive-number (FCN) schedules, which assess working memory. Additionally, we examined stimulus control and response effort as modulators of GHB's effects. GHB dose-dependently reduced operant activity and response rates, but tolerance developed to these effects. GHB had no effect on accuracy or efficiency (i.e., working memory). Stimulus control and response effort did not modulate GHB's effects. These results suggest that GHB produced non-selective behavioral disruption but not working memory impairment.