Journal of Analytical Toxicology
April 20, 2022
Amanda L A Mohr, Barry K. Logan, Melissa F. Fogarty et al.
66 citations
A critical review of published case reports from January 2017 through December 2020 identified 1,319 cases of adverse events associated with novel psychoactive substances (NPS), including 378 overdose fatalities, 771 cases requiring clinical treatment or hospitalization, and 170 cases of driving under the influence. The review covers chemistry, pharmacology, user profiles, and clinical symptoms for over 60 NPS, with 50 substances reported for the first time compared to the previous four years. Cases span synthetic cannabinoids, NPS stimulants, hallucinogens, benzodiazepines, and opioids. The findings aim to improve awareness and characterization of emerging international drug threats.
Journal of Forensic Sciences
November 1, 2001
Barry K. Logan, Fiona J. Couper
62 citations
MDMA (ecstasy) impairs driving ability through stimulant and mood-altering effects that disrupt psychomotor skills. A review of laboratory driving simulators, anecdotal reports, and case series, along with eighteen new cases of apparent MDMA-impaired driving (six with only MDMA in blood), found subjects commonly showed muscle twitching, body tremors, dilated pupils, slow pupillary light reaction, elevated pulse and blood pressure, poor balance and coordination, and profuse sweating. Five of six drivers given field sobriety tests performed poorly. No clear correlation existed between blood MDMA concentration and specific demeanor. The evidence indicates MDMA use is inconsistent with safe driving, and impairment may persist long after last use.
Journal of Analytical Toxicology
July 16, 2018
Alex J. Krotulski, Amanda L A Mohr, Melissa F. Fogarty et al.
50 citations
Among people attending electronic dance music festivals, self-reported use of Ecstasy, Molly, or MDMA often does not match what is actually in their system. Over four years, oral fluid from 223 participants who said they had recently used one or more of those terms was tested. Only 54.3% had MDMA alone; 29.6% tested positive for a novel stimulant instead. Most participants (91%) used only one term, with Molly the most common (60.6%), followed by MDMA (27.1%) and Ecstasy (12.3%). The findings indicate that the terms Ecstasy, Molly, and MDMA are not used interchangeably or accurately, and that users may unknowingly consume novel psychoactive substances.
Journal of Analytical Toxicology
January 27, 2025
Melissa F. Fogarty, Sara E. Walton, Michael T Truver et al.
6 citations
N,N-dimethylpentylone (DMP), a synthetic cathinone found in counterfeit 'Ecstasy' and 'Molly' tablets, is a psychomotor stimulant that can cause adverse clinical outcomes including death. A new assay using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry measured DMP and five related compounds in 125 forensic cases. In postmortem blood, DMP concentrations ranged from 3.3 to 4600 ng/mL (mean 320 ng/mL, median 150 ng/mL). Its primary metabolite, pentylone, was present in 98% of cases. DMP potently inhibited the dopamine transporter (IC50 of 49 nM) but was 100-fold weaker at the serotonin transporter. In mice, DMP was a locomotor stimulant (ED50 of 3.5 mg/kg). After DMP's scheduling in 2024, an unregulated replacement may emerge.