title: A fatal case of paramethoxyamphetamine poisoning and its detection in hair.
abstract: Paramethoxyamphetamine (PMA) is a phenethylamine derivative that is structurally related to 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), but has higher toxicity than MDMA. Here, we report a fatal intoxication case involving PMA. A 36-year-old man was found dead in a hotel room. Toxicological analysis revealed that PMA concentrations were 0.57 and 0.59mg/L in peripheral and heart blood, respectively. Ketamine and diazepam were also detected in his blood. Based on toxicological results and autopsy findings, the cause of death was determined to be acute fatal intoxication with PMA. Hair analysis using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry was performed and PMA was detected at a concentration of 20.1ng/mg after methanol extraction for 20h. This is the first report of the determination of PMA concentration in the hair from a drug abuser.
authors.affiliation: National Forensic Service, 139 Jiyang-ro, Yangcheon-Gu, Seoul 158-707, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: jmh1229@korea.kr.
authors.forename: Moonhee
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.affiliation: National Forensic Service, 139 Jiyang-ro, Yangcheon-Gu, Seoul 158-707, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Wonkyung
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: National Forensic Service, 139 Jiyang-ro, Yangcheon-Gu, Seoul 158-707, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Sujin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jeong
authors.affiliation: National Forensic Service, 139 Jiyang-ro, Yangcheon-Gu, Seoul 158-707, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Sohyung
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: National Forensic Service, 139 Jiyang-ro, Yangcheon-Gu, Seoul 158-707, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jihyun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000662:Amphetamines / Q000032:analysis* / Q000506:poisoning*; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006197:Hair / Q000737:chemistry*; D006213:Hallucinogens / Q000032:analysis* / Q000506:poisoning*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis
chemical_list: D000662:Amphetamines; D006213:Hallucinogens; C100230:4-methoxyamphetamine
keywords: 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA); GC/MS; Hair; Intoxication; Paramethoxyamphetamine (PMA)