Morphine concentrations in brain tissue from heroin-associated deaths
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 14, 2026

3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache
Published on: June 2, 2014
Abstract:
The object of this study was to correlate blood morphine concentrations to regional brain concentrations and indirectly to opiate receptor density. Brain sections obtained postmortem from 21 suspected heroin-associated fatalities were analyzed for morphine by gas chromatography with FID. In all of the cases where death was attributed to narcotic overdose the concentration of morphine was found to exceed the minimum fatal concentration, 0.2 microgram/g of tissue, in one or more of the brain sections, whereas the blood concentration exceeded 0.2 microgram/g in only five cases. The correlation between the concentrations in the thalamus and blood were very good, suggesting that the thalamus could be used to estimate blood morphine concentration by the forensic toxicologist. Statistical analysis of the data is presented.
More Related Videos
04:11A Conditioned Place Preference Protocol for Measuring Incubation of Craving in Rats
Published on: November 6, 2018
09:54Combining Laser Capture Microdissection and Microfluidic qPCR to Analyze Transcriptional Profiles of Single Cells: A Systems Biology Approach to Opioid Dependence
Published on: March 8, 2020
Related Concept Videos
CNS Stimulants: Cocaine, Amphetamines and Cannabinoids
Opioid Receptors: Overview
Analgesia and Pain Management
Opioid Analgesics: Morphine and Other Natural Cogeners
Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids
Drug Concentrations: Measurements
Plasma —...