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Related Experiment Videos

Fatality due to acute alpha-methyltryptamine intoxication.

Diane M Boland1, Wilmo Andollo, George W Hime

  • 1Miami-Dade Medical Examiner Department, Toxicology Laboratory, Florida 33136, USA.

Journal of Analytical Toxicology
|August 18, 2005
PubMed
Summary
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Alpha-methyltryptamine (AMT), a psychedelic drug, was linked to the first recorded death in the US in 2003. This case highlights the critical need for accurate toxicological analysis of novel psychoactive substances.

Area of Science:

  • Forensic Toxicology
  • Pharmacology
  • Organic Chemistry

Background:

  • Alpha-methyltryptamine (AMT) is an indole analogue of amphetamine with historical research as an antidepressant and stimulant.
  • AMT gained popularity as a psychedelic drug, particularly among young adults, due to online availability and anecdotal reports.
  • Its legal status changed following a fatality, leading to its emergency scheduling as a controlled substance.

Observation:

  • The first reported US death associated with AMT occurred in Miami-Dade County in February 2003.
  • The deceased, a college student, reported taking hallucinogenic drugs before being found unresponsive.
  • Toxicology analysis of postmortem specimens detected significant levels of AMT in blood, gastric contents, liver, and brain.

Findings:

Related Experiment Videos

  • Enzyme-multiplied immunoassay technique initially screened positive for amphetamines.
  • Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry confirmed and quantified AMT, with postmortem blood levels of 2.0 mg/L.
  • Significant AMT concentrations were found in gastric contents (9.6 mg), liver (24.7 mg/kg), and brain (7.8 mg/kg).

    • Implications:

    • The Miami-Dade case and subsequent findings led to the emergency scheduling of AMT as a Schedule 1 controlled substance by the DEA.
    • This case highlights the forensic challenges in identifying and quantifying novel psychoactive substances.
    • Understanding the toxicokinetics and postmortem distribution of AMT is crucial for forensic investigations.