Year: 2007
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: The concentration of drugs and metabolites in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood were determined in 282 autopsied cases using liquid-liquid extraction techniques and gas chromatographic analyses. All drugs were confirmed in one matrix by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. CSF/blood ratios were used to compare the two biological fluids. Classes of drugs evaluated in this study included: benzodiazepines, anticonvulsants, sedatives, opioids, antidepressants, anesthetics, and antihistamines. The majority of the drugs tested were readily detected in CSF specimens. The average CSF/blood ratio for most drugs was in the range of 0.05-0.50. Interpretation of these results is difficult because protein binding, half-life, hydrophobic properties, and pKa of a drug, in addition to survival time after drug use, influence the CSF/blood ratio. While CSF specimens do provide a viable alternative testing matrix when blood specimens are not available, they should not be used to estimate blood drug concentrations.
Source: Journal of Analytical Toxicology
DOI: 10.1093/jat/31.9.581
Authors: David A. Engelhart, Amanda J. Jenkins
Institution: Lake County
Language: English
Subfield: Toxicology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2125567918