Structure elucidation and identification of a common metabolite for naphthoylindole-based synthetic cannabinoids using LC-TOF and comparison to a synthetic reference standard.

The identification of a predominate metabolite found in urine specimens which test positive for naphthoylindole-based synthetic cannabinoids is reported. The presence of this new metabolite was detected at the Air Force Drug Testing Lab Investigations Division during screening analysis for metabolites of JWH-018 and JWH-073, because it shares the same MRM transitions as the JWH-073 N-(3-hydroxybutyl) metabolite. However, the detected peak is chromatographically distinguished from other metabolites due to differences in retention time.

Quantitative MALDI-MS(n) analysis of cocaine in the autopsied brain of a human cocaine user employing a wide isolation window and internal standards.

Detection of drugs in tissue typically requires extensive sample preparation in which the tissue is first homogenized, followed by drug extraction, before the extracts are finally analyzed by LC/MS. Directly analyzing drugs in intact tissue would eliminate any complications introduced by sample pretreatment. A matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization tandem mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS(n)) method as been developed for the quantification of cocaine present in postmortem brain tissue of a chronic human cocaine user.

Fatal diphenhydramine intoxication in infants.

Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine available in numerous over-the-counter preparations. Often used for its sedative effects in adults, it can cause paradoxical central nervous system stimulation in children, with effects ranging from excitation to seizures and death. Reports of fatal intoxications in young children are rare.