MDAI (5,6‐methylenedioxy‐2‐aminoindane; 6,7‐dihydro‐5H‐cyclopenta[f][1,3]benzodioxol‐6‐amine; ‘sparkle’; ‘mindy’) toxicity: a brief overview and update
John Corkery, Simon Elliott, Fabrizio Schifano, Ornella Corazza, A. Hamid Ghodse
Human Psychopharmacology Clinical and Experimental July 1, 2013 DOI: 10.1002/hup.2298 via OpenAlex
Summary
MDAI (5,6-methylenedioxy-2-aminoindane), a psychoactive substance sold as a 'legal high', is structurally similar to MDMA and shares its behavioral properties. Recreational use began around 2007 in Europe, increasing after 2009 in the UK. Calls to poisons services started in 2010, with few emergency department presentations. A review of recent literature, including grey literature, presents information on MDAI's toxicity, including the first three UK deaths involving MDAI use in 2011 and 2012. 'Serotonin syndrome' appears to be a possible factor in these fatalities. Documentation of further cases, including non-fatal overdoses, is vital to establish a scientific evidence base.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Amine gas treating Stereochemistry Medicinal chemistry Organic chemistry |
| Citations | 52 |
| Key finding | The first three UK deaths involving MDAI use occurred in 2011 and 2012, with serotonin syndrome appearing as a possible factor in these fatalities. |
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: MDAI (5,6-methylenedioxy-2-aminoindane; 6,7-dihydro-5H-cyclopenta[f][1,3]benzodioxol-6-amine; 'sparkle'; 'mindy') is a psychoactive substance, sold primarily over the Internet and in 'head' shops as a 'legal high'. Synthesised and used as a research chemical in the 1990s, MDAI has structural similarities to MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine) and shares its behavioural properties. Recreational use of MDAI appears to have started in Europe around 2007, with a noticeable increase after 2009 in the UK and other countries. Calls to National Poisons Information Services started in 2010, although there were few presentations to emergency departments by patients complaining of undesirable physical and psychiatric effects after taking MDAI. Recreational use of this drug has been reported only occasionally by online user fora. There is little scientifically based literature on the pharmacological, physiological, psychopharmacological, toxicological and epidemiological characteristics of this drug. METHODS: Recent literature (including 'grey') was searched to update what is known about MDAI, especially on its toxicity. RESULTS: The resultant information is presented, including on the first three UK deaths involving MDAI use in 2011 and 2012. 'Serotonin syndrome' appears to be a possible factor in these fatalities. CONCLUSION: It is vital that any other cases, including non-fatal overdoses, are documented so that a scientific evidence base can be established for them.