TORONTO, May 29 /CNW/ - Death caused by the drug ecstasy (mdma) is very
rare compared to the high number of users. And the reasons why some ecstasy
users are especially susceptible to a fatal drug reaction are not known,
though these deaths often involve severe hyperthermia (increased body
temperature).
A new case study in the Journal of Forensic Sciences points to a
pre-existing defect affecting temperature regulation as one factor that might
contribute to some ecstasy deaths.
Working with Centre of Forensic Sciences toxicologist Teri Martin and the
Office of the Chief Coroner of Ontario, the Centre for Addiction and Mental
Health (CAMH)'s Dr. Stephen Kish described a young woman who developed fatal
hyperthermia after taking ecstasy. It was later discovered at autopsy that she
had an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), a condition that can make some
people less tolerant to heat.
"This single case cannot prove that hyperthyroidism contributed to the
death of the ecstasy user", said Dr. Kish, Professor of Psychiatry and
Pharmacology, University of Toronto, and Head, Human Neurochemical Pathology
Laboratory, CAMH, "but it does suggest what many scientists have suspected -
that a pre-existing problem in temperature regulation might increase the risk
of an ecstasy-triggered death. This is supported by other data showing that
experimental animals that are hyperthyroid are more likely to die when exposed
to ecstasy."
"There are probably many different factors that explain deaths caused by
ecstasy, including room temperature, physical activity, and fluid intake",
said Chief Coroner Dr. Barry McLellan. "This case study highlights that a
pre-existing condition that can affect body temperature may contribute to an
ecstasy-related death."
Kish adds: "We already know that ecstasy can cause death, and ecstasy
users need to be especially concerned if they have a medical condition
affecting body temperature."
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) is one of the leading
addiction and mental health organizations in North America and Canada's
largest mental health and addiction teaching hospital. CAMH is a Pan American
Health Organization and World Health Organization Collaborating Centre, and is
fully affiliated with the University of Toronto. CAMH combines clinical care,
research, policy, education and health promotion to transform the lives of
people impacted by mental health and addiction issues.
For further information: or to schedule interviews please contact
Michael Torres, Media Relations, CAMH at (416) 595-6015
