Thesis (M.A.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2006. / The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from title screen of research.pdf file (viewed on April 21, 2009.) Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--Southern Utah University, 2009. / Title from PDF title page. "Masters of Science in Forensic Science." Includes bibliographical references (p. 25-26).

Thesis (MPsych.) -- University of the Western Cape, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 105-114).

Recently, several novel technologies have emerged with substantial benefits in toxicological analysis. These include the development of beadbased multiplex immunoassay (Suspension Bead Array, SBA), the use of reduced-volume centrifugal ion-exchange extraction (SpinSPE), and Ultra-Performance (TM) liquid chromatographic separation coupled to mass spectrometry (UPLC(TM)/MS n ). This work sought to investigate the efficacy and practicality of these innovative approaches against a benchmark of established methods and instrumentation for the screening and confirmation of amphetaminetype substances. This study begins with a statistical survey of amphetaminetype substances encountered in an accredited forensic laboratory supporting the Australian Capital Territory and regional New South Wales. Over the 5year period 2001-2005, it was determined that 6683 case submissions required presumptive screening for amphetamines. Of these cases, 1269 (19.0%) required confirmative analysis of amphetaminetype substances, including amphetamine, methamphetamine, MDA, MDMA, MDEA, ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and phentermine. Such analytical needs were then used in comparative assessment of the novel and established methodologies, including examination of immunoassay specificity, extraction efficiency, chromatographic resolution, general resource efficiency, and total analysis time. Development of a beadbased immunoassay platform (SBA) for multiplex amphetamines analysis proved to be a complex task. Efforts to multiplex the amphetamine and methamphetamine immunoassay models into a single assay exhibited a significant degree of non-specific antibody cross-reactivity. However, the merits of the individual bead assays were demonstrated. Upon comparison with commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for amphetamine or methamphetamine (ELISA), it was observed that the SBA models exhibited specificity comparable to that of the ELISA assays and linearity over a concentration range of toxicological relevance (0-1000 ng/mL amphetamine or methamphetamine). In addition, the results indicated the practical applicability of the individual SBA assays for an oral fluid matrix, and demonstrated significant reductions in the volumes of reagents required and length of time of analysis. Additionally, in an optimised multiplex system, the amount of sample required for screening could be reduced as the SBA technology theoretically permits analysis of up to 100 different drugs or metabolites from one volume of sample. The aspect of forensic sample conservation was further explored with investigation of reduced-volume extraction techniques, such as the application of centrifugal ionexchange extraction columns (SpinSPE). Following initial development, the SpinSPE technique was applied to the isolation of amphetaminetype substances from oral fluid and compared with a mixedmode SPE method for both extraction and resource efficiency. From the observed results, both extraction methods were demonstrated to be effective in the isolation of amphetamine, methamphetamine, ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, PMA, MDA, MDMA, MDEA, MBDB, and 2CB from an oral fluid matrix with detection by heptafluorobutyric acid derivatisation (HFBTA) and GC/MS. The SpinSPE model demonstrated comparable efficacy with reduced sample volume (200 쌩, as well as significant reductions in the volumes of reagents required for column conditioning, washing, and elution. In addition, the linear working range (0-2000 ng/mL) and sensitivity of the method indicated the potential to further reduce sample volume. In the confirmative separation and identification of drug compounds, the technological advancement of UltraPerformance (TM) liquid chromatography (UPLC(TM)) has recently evolved from efforts to improve LC resolution, sensitivity, and time of analysis. In this research, UPLC(TM) coupled to mass spectrometry was demonstrated to be capable of rapidly identifying several amphetaminetype substances (phenylethylamine, amphetamine, phentermine, methamphetamine, ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, PMA, 4MTA, MDA, MDMA, MDEA, MBDB) and ketamine in an analysis time of less than five minutes. In addition, UPLC(TM)/MS demonstrated a resolving power comparable to GC/MS with significantly reduced instrumental analysis time. This research reveals the promise of these new applications in advancing towards a more efficient and modernised systematic toxicological approach. The continued development and optimisation of SBA multiplex immunoassays will permit customisable systems capable of simultaneously detecting numerous compounds with antibodybased sensitivity and selectivity. In circumstances where low sample volumes are required for confirmation of drug use, such as in roadside saliva drug testing for driving under the influence offences, reducedvolume SpinSPE has been demonstrated to be a practical and effective alternative for sample preparation. In addition, a more streamlined procedure is further enhanced with the use of UPLC(TM) coupled to mass spectrometry for analyte separation and molecular identification. It is expected that illicit drug use will remain a significant public concern. With the continued desire for more rapid and comprehensive methodologies, further study of these and other innovative technologies will be of considerable future benefit to laboratories such as that serving the Australian Capital Territory region.

Methamphetamine is gaining mainstream popularity across the United States at the same time that lead exposure remains at elevated levels. Perinatal (gestation/lactation) lead exposure has been found to modify the reward efficacy of various drugs of abuse (e.g., cocaine, opiates) across the phases of initial selection, use, and abuse. Lead-induced changes in sensitivity to methamphetamine have not been examined in animals perinatally exposed to lead. Accordingly, four studies were conducted to examine the effects of perinatal lead exposure on adult self-administration of intravenous (i.v.) methamphetamine across all relevant transition points of drug addiction. Adult female rats were administered a 16-mg lead or a control solution for 30 days prior to breeding with non-exposed males. Exposure continued through pregnancy and lactation and was discontinued at weaning (postnatal day [PND] 21). Animals born to control or lead-exposed dams received indwelling jugular catheters as adults (PND 60 and PND 90) and subsequently were randomly assigned to one of the four studies mentioned above, using only one male rat per litter for each study. In Experiment 1, an acquisition study revealed that perinatal exposure to environmentally relevant levels of lead resulted in a smaller percentage of rats reaching the criterion for intravenous (i.v.) methamphetamine (.02 mg/kg) acquisition, relative to non-exposed controls. In Experiment 2, a dose-effect curve yielded a biphasic pattern of attenuation of the self-administration of methamphetamine (.04 mg/kg) in lead-exposed animals. In Experiment 3, lead-exposed animals reached lower breaking points for methamphetamine (.04 mg/kg) in a progressive ratio task, in comparison to control animals. Finally in Experiment 4, a reinstatement study revealed that perinatally leadexposed animals showed a decreased propensity to relapse to methamphetamine (.04 mg/kg) self-administration after a period of forced abstinence. The general attenuation to the rewarding efficacy of methamphetamine observed in animals perinatally exposed to lead may functionally translate into a form of tolerance or counteradaptation. The data collected from these four studies further strengthen the possibility that pollutants in the environment may play a modulatory role in substance abuse.

Methamphetamine is a widely abused psychostimulant often associated with aggressive, violent, and criminal behaviour. Research into the effects of adolescent methamphetamine use on aggressive behaviour is limited. This study aimed to establish whether methamphetamine would induce aggressive behaviour following an acute dosing regimen and a chronic dosing regimen. It also aimed to establish a teratological or delayed effect on adult behaviour. To investigate this 20 male and 20 female adolescent rats were equally divided into treatment and control conditions. The treatment condition received a single dose of methamphetamine (2mg/kg) on postnatal day (PND) 35 followed by twice daily doses of methamphetamine (2mg/kg) from PND 36-46. This was done via intraperitoneal injection. The control condition received comparable doses of saline. Animals were tested using the resident intruder test following the single dose, after the completion of the final dose, and again in early adulthood (PND 90). Results found an acute dosing regimen significantly reduced aggressive-like behaviour. A chronic dosing regimen increased aggressive-like behaviour however, this relationship was less clear. Finally, the results found increased aggressive behaviour in adult animals following methamphetamine use in adolescence. This provides preliminary evidence for a teratological effect and support for the neuronal imprinting theory.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Wyoming, 2007. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on Dec. 1, 2008). Includes bibliographical references (p. 56-60).

Thesis (M.S.)--Montana State University--Bozeman, 2007. / Typescript. Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Michael Babcock. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 49-57).

Substance abuse and dependence has been a problem in the United States for over 100 years (Whitebread, 1995). In the past two decades the abuse and dependence of methamphetamine has increased and the rates have remained steady (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2004). Advances have been made in the development of treatments for substance abuse and dependence. Research has continued to show that treatment modalities enhanced by case management services are more effective in the treatment of substance abuse and dependence. There has also been progress made in the research regarding the therapeutic benefits of employment for persons with substance abuse and dependence. However, the research regarding methamphetamine abuse and dependence is lacking in regards to the effects of employment, and the case management needs of this population. The aim of this study is to expand research on methamphetamine abuse, dependence, and treatment. By using variables including measures of demographics, education, income, utilization of substance abuse treatment services, healthcare coverage, measures of mental health status, measures of physical health status, and measures of arrest record to predict employment status of persons who report methamphetamine use, implications were developed for treatment providers and case managers to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of treatment. The present study utilized the 2006 and 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health data to determine if measures of demographics, education, income, utilization of substance abuse treatment services, healthcare coverage, measures of mental health status, measures of physical health status, and measures of arrest record have significant associations to employment status of persons who report methamphetamine use. A chi-square analysis was used to determine which variables have significant associations to employment status. In addition, this study sought to determine if these independent variables are significant predictors of employment status among methamphetamine users. A binary logistic regression analysis was used to predict employment. The results of the study showed that several of the independent variables had significant associations to employment status of persons who report methamphetamine use. However, the binary logistic regression analysis only resulted in one significant predictor. The results of this study were used to develop implications for case managers.

M.A. / The aim of the present study was to establish the existence of potential cognitive impairment in a group of 14 currently using methamphetamine addicts in comparison to a group of 17 abstinent recovering methamphetamine addicts and a matched control group of 18 participants. The current study was undertaken as methamphetamine abuse has risen dramatically over the past several years (Hart, Ward, Haney, Foltin & Fischman, 2001). This resurgence into popular culture imposes a sense of urgency for understanding the effects of methamphetamine medically and neurologically (Simon et al., 2000; Volkow et al., 2001a). Twenty nine million people consumed amphetamine-type stimulants in the late 1990s, a larger number than that of people using cocaine and opiates combined (World Health Organisation, 2001). South Africa is one of the countries world-wide that is currently experiencing a methamphetamine pandemic. The startling increase of methamphetamine use in South Africa is further exacerbated by the fact that 80 percent of methamphetamine users in the Western Cape are under 21 years of age, according to the South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (SANCA) (Morris & Parry, 2006). Methamphetamine has been established as neurotoxic in chronic doses abused by humans. The resultant deleterious consequences of this drug on cognitive functioning have led researchers to conclude that the observed deficits are as a direct result of methamphetamine’s neurotoxicity (Nordahl, Salo & Leamon, 2003; Vocci & Appel, 2007; Yucel, Lubman, Solowij & Brewer, 2007). Amongst the cognitive functions affected by methamphetamine, preliminary findings indicate that attention, memory and executive functioning may potentially be compromised (Barr et al., 2006). These findings need to be corroborated in the South African milieu using culture fair measuring instruments. Furthermore the possible effects of previous use of methamphetamine in recovering addicts need to be ascertained. A comparative and quantitative ex post facto research design was utilised in the research. Participants were selected according to stringent inclusion and exclusion criteria. A neuropsychological test battery, comprising of pen and pencil tests, was used to assess the cognitive functions of attention, memory and executive functioning in the two experimental groups and the control participants. Statistical analysis was performed on the raw data by the Statistical Consultation Service of the University of Johannesburg. The research was conducted according to a specified code of ethics stipulated for psychological research. Significant results were established between the two experimental groups in comparison to each other and the control group for the cognitive functions of attention and memory. Assessment of executive functioning yielded results in which significant results were observed between the current and recovering users of methamphetamine and between the control group and recovering methamphetamine addicts. There were no significant results detected between the current users of methamphetamine and the control group regarding executive functioning.