3,4-Methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) is a potent psychostimulant substance endowed with addictive properties. As mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) mediates neuroadaptive changes responsible for development of addiction, the current study evaluated whether rapamycin, a potent and selective inhibitor of mTOR, prevents induction and expression of behavioral sensitization in mice treated with MDPV.

Ethyl glucuronide (EtG) and ethyl sulfate (EtS) are direct metabolites of ethanol (EtOH) and sensitive biomarkers of alcohol consumption. However, despite extensive studies in Western populations, data on Japanese individuals are limited. This study characterized the pharmacokinetics of EtG and EtS in Japanese adults and evaluated the influence of dose, genetic polymorphisms, and habitual alcohol use.

A powder found at a fatality scene, labeled as the synthetic cathinone 3',4'-methylenedioxy-α-pyrrolidinohexiophenone (MDPHP) and most likely smoked using a crack pipe, was analyzed. The powder was identified as very potent synthetic cannabinoid ADB-BUTINACA/ADB-BINACA with a high purity (> 98%). This case highlights the risks associated with mislabeled novel psychoactive substances (NPS), particularly those purchased online.

Aconitine is a highly toxic alkaloid found in Aconitum species, known for their potent neurotoxic and cardiotoxic effects. While accidental poisonings are relatively rare in Europe, intentional ingestions are more frequently reported. Despite the well-documented clinical effects of aconitine, a comprehensive toxicological investigation including analysis of hair and roots responsible for poisoning has never been reported.

Δ-Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid-A (Δ-THCA-A) is a precursor of Δ-tetrahydrocannabinol in cannabis. Here, considering applicability to ordinary forensic laboratories, we developed a novel isolation method for Δ-THCA-A without the need for special equipment.

The abuse of 2-fluoro-2-oxo-phenylcyclohexylethylamine (2F-2-oxo-PCE), a dissociative anesthetic structurally related to phencyclidine (PCP) and ketamine, has recently increased in South Korea. This study presented the first forensic toxicological detection of 2F-2-oxo-PCE in autopsy cases and described a validated method for the simultaneous quantification of 2F-2-oxo-PCE, methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), ketamine, and norketamine in postmortem blood.

Comparison of the impurity removal efficiencies of the deproteinization and Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, Safe (QuEChERS) methods, which are pretreatment methods for drug analysis adopted by many forensic autopsy institutions, was performed.

The recreational use of synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) by adolescents and adults has markedly increased in recent years. Previous studies demonstrated that exposure to SCs is associated with multiple adverse health effects. Nevertheless, little is known about the effects of these substances on male fertility. The current study aimed to investigate the toxicological effects of subacute exposure to synthetic cannabinoid AB-FUBINACA on male reproductive system in mice.

The aim of this work is to investigate whether precyclization of γ-hydroxybutyric acid (GABA) allows for increasing its gas chromatography (GC) signal, and if so, is it a more effective way to increase the signal of this compound than its silylation or methylation?

Etomidate, which is a psychoactive drug with an anesthetic effect, is used as a substitute for expensive mainstream drugs. There has been a trend toward abuse of etomidate and its emerging structural analogues now. Faced with a large number of samples, a rapid and effective detection method is needed.

Over-the-counter medicines are commonly used for recreational and suicidal overdoses, a global problem. Some of these are easily obtained via the Internet. In cases of intoxication, drug quantification is necessary to estimate the cause of death. Stable isotope compounds are recommended as internal standards (IS) for analyzing drugs; however, it is difficult for individual laboratories to obtain isotopes for all analytes due to cost and availability. Therefore, alternative IS selection is important for practicality. Here, we quantified diphenhydramine and dextromethorphan concentrations in plasma from several collection sites in a fatal intoxication case, and assessed various IS performance based on structural similarities and retention time.

Forensics, along with the implementation of techniques from nanosciences, has brought about a change in the domain of forensic science and criminal investigation. It has brought about a positive change in the criminal investigation framework by making investigation more efficient and to-the-point.

A principal objective of forensic entomotoxicology is to apply insect specimens for post-mortem toxicological analysis. Successful identification of drugs in necrophagous insects may depend on pharmacokinetic processes occurring in larvae. We thus applied a model system involving Lucilia sericata (Meigen, 1826) (Diptera, Calliphoridae) to investigate pharmacokinetics of diazepam in larvae in vitro, followed by a field experiment with Göttingen Minipigs.

Existing on-site color tests for cannabis (e.g., rapid Duquénois-Levine reagent, 4-aminophenol reagent) have insufficient specificity, especially in the point of distinguishing between Δ-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ-THC) and the other cannabinoids. We developed a novel Δ-THC-specific color test reagent.

Hair testing for drugs has been used extensively in the forensic field since the 1990s, primarily in cases involving abused drugs such as methamphetamine and cocaine. Since the 2010s, its scope has expanded to include the detection of single dose of hypnotics, aiding in the investigation of serious crimes. This review presents essential knowledge for hair testing and the currently recommended analytical procedures and forensic applications.

The increasing prevalence of methamphetamine and cocaine in postmortem toxicology casework has placed significant demands on forensic laboratories. This study introduces and validates a streamlined method using salt assisted liquid-liquid extraction (SALLE) coupled with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to improve the efficiency and reliability of detecting amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) and cocaine metabolites in forensic toxicology.

Recently, a number of abuse and intoxication cases involving imidazole-derived GABA agonists etomidate and its analogs have been reported in China. During our recent screening of e-cigarette liquids, we encountered two novel etomidate analogs that have not previously been reported. This study aims to present the analytical procedures used to identify these compounds, along with detailed data obtained under various instrumental conditions.

This study aims to detail the identification, confirmation, and quantitation of lemborexant from clinical and postmortem specimens using a validated LC-MS/MS method. Additionally, it investigates the tissue distribution of lemborexant in several postmortem cases.

A new lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) analog has recently been identified, 1-[3-(Trimethylsilyl)propanoyl] LSD (1S-LSD), characterized by a silicon-containing acyl moiety. In the proof of LSD analog consumption, direct detection of the parent compound in urine or blood can be challenging; therefore, characteristic metabolites as consumption markers should be detected. However, the metabolic fate is unclear. This study aimed to characterize the metabolic properties of 1S-LSD.

Ethylene glycol (EG) is a typical antifreeze compound and a significant analyte in forensic toxicology. Current EG analytical method for biological samples in forensic toxicology employ liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), however, they exhibit low sensitivity and reliability. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to establish a highly sensitive, selective, and reliable EG assay system for human serum analysis using a hydroxyl derivatization-aided LC-MS/MS technique.

Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) enhance athletic performance, giving athletes an unfair advantage and disrupting fair competition. Banned in sports and listed by World Anti-Doping Agency, they require precise detection. This study aimed to develop a method using the transient matrix effect to improve AAS identification in biological samples.