Association between cerebrospinal fluid dopamine concentrations and catechol-O-methyltransferase gene polymorphisms in forensic autopsy cases of methamphetamine abusers

Autopsy evaluations of drug concentrations and forensic toxicology are hampered by varying chemical compositions, pharmacological actions, and abuse patterns. Methamphetamine (MA) elevates the synaptic concentrations of monoamine neurotransmitters such as catecholamines (adrenaline (Adr), noradrenaline (Ndr), and dopamine (DA)) [1]. We previously measured catecholamine concentrations in the serum, pericardial fluid (PCF), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and urine of various forensic cases. Postmortem serum and urine catecholamine concentrations were markedly higher than clinical concentrations [2,3]; however, clinical PCF and CSF catecholamine concentrations were not examined in detail.
Source: Forensic Science International - Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Tags: Original Research Article Source Type: research