ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 8

Regional Distribution of Cocaine in Postmortem Brain of Chronic Human Cocaine Users
Schmunk, GA
Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner, San Jose, CA and Stanford University, CA

Smialek, J
University of Maryland, MD

Kalasinsky, KS
Division of Forensic Toxicology, Office of the Armed Forces Medical Examiner, Division of Forensic Toxicology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, DC

Ang, L
Department of Pathology (Neuropathology), Sunnybrook Hospital,

Guttman, M
Human Neurochemical Pathology Laboratory, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Clarke Division, Ontario

Gore, SB
Office of the Medical Examiner of District 9, FL

Kish, SJ
Human Neurochemical Pathology Laboratory, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Clarke Division, Ontario

Bosy, TZ
Division of Forensic Toxicology, Office of the Armed Forces Medical Examiner, Division of Forensic Toxicology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, DC

Adams, V
Office of the Hillsborough County Medical Examiner, FL

Furukawa, Y
Human Neurochemical Pathology Laboratory, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Clarke Division, Ontario

(Received 14 September 1999; accepted 29 October 1999)

Abstract

We measured concentrations of cocaine and its major metabolites (benzoylecgonine, ecgonine methylester, norcocaine, and cocaethylene) in 15 autopsied brain regions of 14 human chronic cocaine users. Only slight differences were observed in concentrations of cocaine and its metabolites amongst the examined brain areas. Although it is likely that some postmortem redistribution of the drug must have occurred, our data are consistent with the possibility that behaviorally relevant doses of cocaine are widely distributed throughout the brain of humans who use the drug on a chronic basis. Consideration should therefore be given to the possible pharmacological and toxicological actions of cocaine in both striatal and extra-striatal brain areas in human users of the drug.

Keywords:
forensic science, cocaine, benzoylecgonine, ecgonine methylester, norcocaine, cocaethylene, dopamine, caudate, putamen, brain

Paper ID: JFS14828J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS14828J
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