New Synthesis and Characterization of (+)-Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) Derivatives and the Development of a Microparticle-Based Immunoassay for the Detection of LSD and Its Metabolites

Three lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) derivatives were synthesized and characterized. The most stable derivative was selected and covalently linked to polystyrene microparticles through a carrier protein. Two new LSD immunogens were synthesized, generating antibodies that recognize LSD and several major LSD metabolites. A homogeneous microparticle-based immunoassay was developed for detecting LSD in human urine with sufficient sensitivity and specificity for effective screening. The assay's performance was evaluated using precision, cross-reactivity, correlation to the Abuscreen LSD RIA and GC/MS/MS, specificity, and limit of detection.

Study at a glance

Abstract

In this paper are reported the synthesis and characterization of three LSD derivatives. On the basis of several analytical characterization studies, the most stable derivative has been selected and a procedure to covalently link the derivative to polystyrene microparticles through a carrier protein has been developed. In addition, two new LSD immunogens have been synthesized and characterized, and from these immunogens antibodies that recognize not only LSD but also several major LSD metabolites have been generated. Using the selected derivative and antibody, a homogeneous microparticle-based immunoassay has been developed for the detection of LSD in human urine with the required sensitivity and specificity for an effective screening assay. The performance of this LSD OnLine assay has been evaluated using the criteria of precision, cross-reactivity, correlation to the Abuscreen LSD RIA and GC/MS/MS, assay specificity, and limit of detection.