Citation

Byard RW, Donkin J, Vink R. J. Forensic Sci. 2018; 63(1): 151-153.

Affiliation

Sansom Institute for Health Research, The University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, American Society for Testing and Materials, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/1556-4029.13509

PMID

28383154

Abstract

The effects of D-amphetamine on outcome after blunt craniocerebral trauma are characterized and the potential legal implications discussed. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) was induced under general anesthesia in adult, male Sprague Dawley rats using the impact acceleration model. At 10 min prior to injury, D-amphetamine (5 mg/kg) or saline vehicle was administered subcutaneously; animals were subsequently assessed over a 7-day period post-trauma for motor outcome using a rotarod device. D-amphetamine treated animals performed significantly better (p < 0.001; ANOVA) than vehicle treated controls on their motor assessment, suggesting that D-amphetamine exposure prior to injury either is neuroprotective or enhances motor performance. It is possible, therefore, that an individual who has taken amphetamines may function at a better motor level after head trauma than one who has not been exposed to the drug. Future interpretations of the potential effects of amphetamines on TBI should include this possibility.

© 2017 American Academy of Forensic Sciences.

Language: en

Keywords

amphetamine toxicity; blunt head trauma; dopamine; flight or fight; forensic science; neuroprotection; traumatic brain injury