Distribution of Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and Methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) in Postmortem and Antemortem Specimens
Journal of Analytical Toxicology – October 01, 2006
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
MDMA and its metabolite MDA show distinct distribution patterns in various biological specimens. In a study involving 20 fatal cases, heart blood, urine, and bile were analyzed, revealing consistent MDA/MDMA ratios in hair (n=6) that exceed those in other samples. Additionally, the MDMA/MDA concentration ratio in hair aligns with findings from urine and blood, indicating similar incorporation rates to other drugs like cocaine and heroin. This comprehensive analysis aids forensic toxicology by enhancing drug detection capabilities across different specimen types.
Abstract
With increasing requests for the analysis of various specimens related to fatal and non-fatal abuse of methylenedioxymethamphetamine (ecstasy, MDMA), the toxicology laboratory of the Institute of Forensic Medicine has established protocols for the analysis of MDMA and related compounds in hair, urine, and various postmortem specimens. Analytical protocols include extraction, derivatization, and gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis adapting deuterated analogs of the analytes as internal standards. Data resulting from these analyses and hereby reported include postmortem distribution of MDMA and methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) in heart blood, gastric content, urine, and bile specimens from 20 fatal cases; other drugs found in the heart blood from these 20 cases; and the distribution of MDMA and MDA in 25 antemortem urine and 6 hair specimens. The MDA/MDMA concentration ratio observed in a limited number of hair specimens (n=6) are consistent and appear to be higher than those found in other specimens. Compared to other commonly abused drugs (e.g., cocaine and heroin), the "drug/metabolite" concentration ratio (MDMA/MDA) in hair is not significantly different from the ratios derived from other specimens, such as urine and blood. This observation is consistent with the relative drug/metabolite incorporation rates reported for cocaine/benzoylecgonine, tetrahydrocannabinol/tetrahydrocannabinoic acid, and MDMA/MDA.