title: Examining the effect of dl-3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and methamphetamine on the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests.
abstract: dl-3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and methamphetamine are commonly used illicit drugs that are thought to impair driving ability. The Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs) are utilized widely to detect impairment associated with drugs other than alcohol in drivers, although limited evidence concerning MDMA and methamphetamine consumption on SFST performance exists. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the SFSTs were a sensitive measure for identifying the presence of the specific isomer d-methamphetamine and MDMA. In a double-blind, within-subject, counter-balanced and placebo-controlled study, 58 healthy and abstinent recreational drugs users were administered three treatments: 100mg of MDMA, 0.42 mg/kg d-methamphetamine, and placebo. For each condition the SFSTs were administered at 4 and 25 h post treatment. d-methamphetamine was not found to significantly impair SFST performance unlike MDMA, which significantly impaired SFST performance in comparison to placebo with 22% of the sample failing the test at the 4h testing time-point. No differences were observed at the 25 h testing time-point for any of the conditions. It was concluded that the SFSTs are not efficient in identifying the presence of low level d-methamphetamine, and are significantly better at detecting the presence of MDMA at the levels assessed.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria, 3122, Australia. luke.a.downey@gmail.com
authors.forename: Luke A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Downey
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: King
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Papafotiou
authors.forename: Phillip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Swann
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ogden
authors.forename: Con
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stough
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D003913:Dextroamphetamine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D053593:Forensic Toxicology; D006213:Hallucinogens / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000187:drug effects; D009760:Nystagmus, Physiologic / Q000187:drug effects; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000187:drug effects; D015813:Substance Abuse Detection / Q000295:instrumentation*; D016138:Walking; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006213:Hallucinogens; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine; D003913:Dextroamphetamine