Concentrations and Ratios of Amphetamine, Methamphetamine, MDA, MDMA, and MDEA Enantiomers Determined in Plasma Samples from Clinical Toxicology and Driving Under the Influence of Drugs Cases by GC-NICI-MS*
Frank T. Peters, Nele Samyn, Martin Wahl, Thomas Kræmer, Gert de Boeck, Hans H Maurer
Journal of Analytical Toxicology November 1, 2003 DOI: 10.1093/jat/27.8.552 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational cohort Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Clinical toxicology cases and drivers under the influence of drugs |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Keywords | Methamphetamine Pharmacology Forensic toxicology Enantiomer Chromatography |
| Citations | 65 |
| Key findings | Enantiomer ratios of amphetamines differ between screening, intoxication, and drugged-driving cases, potentially indicating recent versus nonrecent ingestion. |
Abstract
Enantiomers of amphetamine (AM), methamphetamine (MA), 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), and 3,4-methylenedioxyethylamphetamine (MDEA) exhibit different pharmacological properties. This may be important for the interpretation of analytical results. Plasma samples were analyzed using validated negative ion chemical ionization gas chromatography-mass spectrometry procedures. The results for clinical toxicology cases, divided into screening (SCR) and intoxication (ITX) cases, and those of driving under the influence of drugs (DUID) cases were compared. The concentrations of all enantiomers, except R-(-)-MDA and R-(-)- and S-(+)-MA, in the SCR samples were lower than in ITX and DUID samples. Differences between concentrations in ITX and DUID samples were only significant for both enantiomers of AM (DUID higher). These findings suggested impairment in drugged drivers. Different enantiomer ratios (R vs. S) were found for AM between DUID and SCR samples, for MDMA between ITX and SCR samples, and for MDA between DUID and ITX and DUID and SCR samples. Higher MDMA enantiomer ratios in SCR compared to ITX samples are in accordance with a previously described increase of those ratios over time, possibly allowing differentiation of recent from nonrecent ingestion. Pharmacokinetic analysis of a MDMA poisoning yielded elimination half-lives of 6.0 h for R-(-)-MDMA and 4.1 h for S-(+)-MDMA. The enantiomer ratios rose exponentially over time.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on MDMA, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subjective Reports of the Effects of MDMA in a Clinical Setting Individuals who took MDMA in a clinical setting | 1986 | Observational study | |
| Memory impairment in abstinent MDMA ("Ecstasy") users Abstinent MDMA users | 1998 | Observational cohort | |
| Impaired cognitive performance in drug free users of recreational ecstasy (MDMA) Otherwise healthy young people | 2000 | Observational | |
| The Psychological and Physiological Effects of MDMA on Normal Volunteers Older, more educated, drug-experienced individuals | 1986 | Observational cohort | |
| Cognitive performance in recreational users of MDMA or 'ecstasy': evidence for memory deficits Young people who were regular or novice MDMA users, or non-users | 1998 | Observational cohort | n = 30 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 10
- Enantioselectivity in the Methylation of the Catecholic Phase I Metabolites of Methylenedioxy Designer Drugs and Their Capability To Inhibit Catechol-O-methyltransferase-Catalyzed Dopamine 3-Methylation Chemical Research in Toxicology May 22, 2009
- Impact of Cytochrome P450 2D6 Function on the Chiral Blood Plasma Pharmacokinetics of 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and Its Phase I and II Metabolites in Humans. PLoS One June 15, 2016
- Cardiac effects of ephedrine, norephedrine, mescaline, and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) in mouse and human atrial preparations Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of Pharmacology November 1, 2022
- Interspecies In Vitro Evaluation of Stereoselective Protein Binding for 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine Journal of Chemistry 2017
- Inhibition potential of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and its metabolites on the in vitro monoamine oxidase (MAO)-catalyzed deamination of the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine. Toxicology Letters January 22, 2016
and 5 more in the library
Cites 11
- Positron emission tomographic evidence of toxic effect of MDMA (“Ecstasy”) on brain serotonin neurons in human beings The Lancet October 1, 1998
- Differences Between the Mechanism of Action of MDMA, MBDB, and the Classic Hallucinogens. Identification of a New Therapeutic Class: Entactogens Journal of Psychoactive Drugs October 1, 1986
- 3,4‐Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, “Ecstasy”): pharmacology and toxicology in animals and humans Addiction May 1, 1994
- Toxicokinetics of Amphetamines: Metabolism and Toxicokinetic Data of Designer Drugs, Amphetamine, Methamphetamine, and Their N-Alkyl Derivatives Therapeutic Drug Monitoring April 1, 2002
- RETRACTED: Severe Dopaminergic Neurotoxicity in Primates After a Common Recreational Dose Regimen of MDMA ("Ecstasy") Science September 27, 2002
and 6 more in the library