"This is new and important information," said K. Michael Gibson, professor and chair of biological sciences at Michigan Technological University and a member of the research team. "It may provide new clues on how to counteract the drug’s effects, or to enhance its metabolism and decrease toxicity for chronic abusers or victims of sexual assault."

Gibson co-wrote the paper with Guo-Fang Zhang and others in the laboratory of Prof. Henri Brunengraber from the Department of Nutrition at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. The study was published online by the Journal of Biological Chemistry, and their findings will appear in the print edition on Nov. 27, 2009.

4-HB is a derivative of a major brain neurotransmitter in humans and other species. It occurs naturally in small amounts in the brains of most animals and humans. In a rare genetic metabolic disorder, 4-HB accumulates in extremely high levels, causing significant developmental delays and seizures.

But 4-HB is best known and most feared when it is taken orally, because it impairs the capacity to exercise judgment, like rohypnol and ketamine hydrochloride. For that reason, it can be used as a date-rape drug.

Analyzing the chemicals produced by the breakdown of 4-HB in mice and rats, Zhang, Gibson, and colleagues used very sophisticated mass spectrometry approaches to identify previously unknown enzymes and pathways that appear to act on 4-HB and other similarly structured compounds. They discovered that 4-HB is metabolized by two different chemical mechanisms or pathways. Their discovery of those pathways should open the door for future studies that can identify the enzymes involved in the following steps of the breakdown of 4-HB.

"This work may help to develop new antidotes and treatments for people who have ingested 4-HB, as well as treatment for children with the rare genetic disorder that causes the compound to accumulate in high levels," Gibson said.

Since Rohypnol and other so-called “date rape drugs” and club drugs like GHB and ketamine were first introduced into the U.S. in the early 1990s, young women and girls (and young men as well) have increasingly fallen victim to date rape. Don’t be a victim! Protect yourself by following these tips.

• Educate Yourself – Learn about the dangers of date rape and club drugs. What are their effects? What do they look like? Use sites such as the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), www.abovetheinfluence.com and many others. Do a Google search on “date rape drugs” and you will find numerous links. Start with the NIDA site first, though (www.drugabuse.gov).

• Pour Your Own Beverages – Never allow someone else to pour your drinks. Pour everything you consume yourself. No falling for the “Can I freshen your drink?” by a friend. If you are in a restaurant or bar, only permit the waitress or bartender to pour and bring you your drink.

• Never Leave Your Drink – Don’t leave your drink unattended even if you have to go to the restroom or go out for a smoke or fresh air. If you do have to leave, get a fresh drink on your return. Maybe it costs you a little more money, but you’ll have the security of knowing it wasn’t tampered with while you were gone.

• Never Sip a Drink You Left Unattended – Don’t be tempted to just sip from a drink you’ve left unattended – not even for a few minutes. It only takes a second or two for someone to slip a date rape drug into your drink – and then it’s too late.

• Cover Your Drink – Especially in crowded areas, like dance floors and popular bars or parties, keep your fingers or hand over the top of your drink. This will foil anyone trying to slip a date rape drug into it without your knowledge.

• Avoid Punchbowls – Never pour, ladle or consume drinks from a large open container, such as a punchbowl or pitcher. Even kegs can be doctored with date rape drugs. Steer clear.

• Don’t Switch Drinks – Even if someone says, “You have to try this,” – politely refuse. Never switch or trade any drinks with someone else.

• Watch Out For Strange Behavior – If your friends act or appear to be more intoxicated than what they’ve had to drink would normally account for, pay close attention. If your friend – or you – are intoxicated after you’ve only had a few sips or very little to drink, take your friend, or get help to immediately go to the emergency room.

• Steer Clear of Anyone Joking about Date Rape Drugs – Anyone who makes a joke or kids about date rape drugs is a potential threat. Stay away from that individual and leave that location. Make a note of who the person is, including description, just in case there’s trouble later. Even if this is someone you know well, you don’t know everyone that well. Don’t take any chances. Besides protecting yourself, you may be able to protect someone else as long as you pay attention to details.

• Beware Intrusion on Your Personal Space – If someone appears to be moving a little too close, intruding on your personal space, especially a date, who may not respect your boundaries, move away and tell them to back off. Be polite and respectful, but firm. You don’t want to permit anyone access to slip you a date rape drug.

• Buddy System – It’s not just for going in the water. The buddy system is valuable for protection from sexual predators as well. Check in with each other every 20 minutes. If something weird or strange happens, leave the location immediately.

• Stay Together – Although the buddy system is good, sticking together with your friends is even better. People who seek to sexually assault women are generally looking for the loner, someone whom they can easily approach and get off to themselves. Parties of two or more help to discourage this kind of unwanted attention.

• Contact Police – If you recognize or see a drug or packaging at a party or other location, leave immediately and contact police with details.

• Designated Driver – It’s always best to have a non-drinking friend with you. This person can help get you out of there if something happens to you such as becoming the victim of a date rape drug. Time is of the essence here. Date rape drugs take effect within minutes of ingestion.

• Avoid Raves – Never go to raves or all-night dance clubs and parties. You’re just putting yourself in harm’s way. These are places where people go to do more than just dance. Illicit street drugs are all over the place. If you’re not immediately affected, you could still be in danger due to the violent behavior, paranoia and intoxication that these drugs pose in the other attendees.

• Don’t Talk to Older Men – This may sound odd, but it’s really not. Many times you may be in a place that’s unfamiliar, and someone will start talking with you that seems at first harmless. They may look like a businessman, your uncle, or neighbor. They may truly be just looking for conversation, but that’s been a disastrous mistake many young and unsuspecting women made. Protect yourself and don’t talk to these men.

• If Your Drink Tastes Odd – Maybe you’ve stayed with your drink and done your best to protect it, but if it tastes odd, it may be a sign that someone has tampered with it. Gather your friend and leave that place immediately. Watch for signs of further intoxication (without reason), and get to an emergency room.

• Recognize the Signs – If you, or someone with you, have been slipped a date rape drug, there are certain signs to look out for. The individual will appear more intoxicated with very little or no alcoholic intake. They may be dizzy, uncoordinated, and unable to speak properly. They may appear to be falling asleep.

• Discuss the Effects with Your Friends – Make sure that all your friends are equally aware of the signs of date rape drug effects and watch out for each other.

• Have an Escape Plan in Place – Before you go anywhere with your friends, or alone, be sure you have an escape plan in place. This can be a simple as a pre-arranged phrase that lets your friends know there’s danger and you have to leave. It can also mean you call 911 or have a designated driver to get you away safely. Knowing what to do in case of an emergency – and the danger of being slipped a date rape drug certainly qualifies – will better prepare you in the event you have to move quickly.