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Review
. 2024 Sep;138(5):1813-1820.
doi: 10.1007/s00414-024-03236-w. Epub 2024 Apr 23.

Alpha-methyltryptamine and 5-(2-methylaminopropyl)-benzofuran (5-MAPB) fatal co-intoxication: case report and review of literature

Marie Epain  1   2 , Nathalie Cartiser  3 , Fabien Bevalot  4 , Charline Bottinelli  4 , Camille Chatenay  4 , Laurent Fanton  5   3
Affiliations
Review

Alpha-methyltryptamine and 5-(2-methylaminopropyl)-benzofuran (5-MAPB) fatal co-intoxication: case report and review of literature

Marie Epain et al. Int J Legal Med. 2024 Sep.

Abstract

The scientific literature contains little reliable data regarding new psychoactive substances and designer drugs, making it difficult to assess toxic blood levels and potentially lethal threshold. Here, we report a fatal co-intoxication involving two uncommon drugs ‒ alpha-methyltryptamine (AMT) and 5-(2-methylaminopropyl)-benzofuran (5-MAPB) ‒ combined with exposure to benzodiazepines, ephedrine, and norephedrine. AMT and 5-MAPB were quantified using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC/MS-MS), revealing concentrations of AMT 4690 ng/mL and 5-MAPB 101 ng/mL in postmortem peripheral blood. We additionally reviewed the literature to help interpret the likely roles of these molecules in the occurrence of death.

Keywords: 5-MAPB; Alpha-methyltryptamine; Autopsy; Fatal intoxication; New psychoactive substances.

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References

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