Lc/ms/ms analysis of the endogenous dimethyltryptamine hallucinogens, their precursors, and major metabolites in rat pineal gland microdialysate

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S. A. Barker et al.
Given the reported expression of INMT in the mammalian provided ad libitum. All animal procedures were approved by pineal gland, the binding of DMT to the sigma-1 and trace amine the University Committee on Use and Care of Animals at the receptors, and the necessity for more comprehensive analytical University of Michigan.
methodology to begin to assess the possible function of theDMTs in vivo, we undertook to develop a protocol to screen for Pineal microdialysis the presence of the DMTs, their precursors and metabolites inmammalian body ﬂuids and tissues. We describe here the appli- Rats were implanted with linear microdialysis probes with a mo- cation of our method to rat pineal gland microdialysates using lecular weight cut-off of 13 kDa and a membrane length of liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) 12–15 mm, manufactured in-house, as described previously for the qualitative analysis of the three known endogenous hal- (see Borjigin and Liu, 2008, for surgical techniques and probe lucinogens and of 20 compounds that constitute most of their preparation). The linear probe traversed both the pineal gland known precursors and major metabolites (Fig. 1), as well as as well as superﬁcial layers of occipital cortex on either side of melatonin and its biochemical precursors. The method was the gland. The pineal location was ascertained in each rat by developed in artiﬁcial CSF (aCSF), which was used as the pineal the presence of melatonin in the dialysates (Borjigin and Liu, gland dialysate. The method described uses positive ion 2008). Following a recovery period of 2–3 days, animals were electrospray ionization, monitoring the protonated molecular placed in microdialysis chambers. The chambers consisted of ion (M + 1+) of each targeted analyte and corresponding frag- enclosed animal housing units equipped with their own lighting, ment ions (multiple reaction monitoring). It also applies strin- which was controlled by an on–off timer, and ﬁtted with a venting gent analytical criteria for the detection and conﬁrmation of fan. Sample collection was accomplished with the aid of a liquid these compounds in this matrix, including exact mass determi- swivel. Pineal microdialysis was performed with aCSF solution nation using high-resolution MS. The developed protocol was ﬂowing continuously through the pineal gland at 2 μL/min for 2 h.
applied to pineal gland-aCSF-microdialysates obtained from All sample collections were performed during daylight hours. Two freely moving rats. These studies revealed, for the ﬁrst time, tubes of dialysate were collected, each of which contained 120 μL the presence of DMT in pineal gland microdialysate obtained collected over 1 h (2 μL/min). The pineal dialysates were collected from the rat.
in microcentrifuge tubes on ice, capped and stored at 2–4 weeks prior to being shipped on dry-ice for further analysis.
Samples experienced a single freeze–thaw cycle prior to analysis.
Materials and methods Analytical standards Adult (12 weeks of age), male, Wistar rats, weighing 300–350 g The following compounds were obtained from a commercial each, were obtained from Harlan Laboratories (Indianapolis, IN, source (Sigma Aldrich, St Louis, MO, USA), and were of the highest USA) and were housed in light–dark conditions of 12:12 h for available purity (>98%): DMT, MDMT, HDMT, tryptamine (TA), N- at least one week before experiments. Food and water was methyl-TA (NMT), 5-hydroxy-TA (serotonin; HTA), 5-hydroxy-N- Figure 1. Compounds examined.
Copyright 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Biomed. Chromatogr. 2013 LC/MS/MS of endogenous DMTs in rat pineal gland microdialysate methyl-TA (HNMT), 5-methoxy-TA (MTA), 5-methoxy-N-methyl-TA (MNMT), melatonin, tryptophan (TRP), 5-hydroxy-tryptophan The chromatography system was coupled to an ambient tem- (HTRP), 5-hydroxy-N-acetyl-TA (HNATA), indol-3-acetic acid perature electrospray ionization probe on the Quantum Access (IAA), 5-hydroxy-IAA (HIAA) and 5-methoxy-IAA (MIAA). The system. For analytes of interest, precursor-to-product ion transi- following compounds were synthesized (as noted) and their tions were established through direct infusion of neat standards structures and purity conﬁrmed (>98%) by LC/MS/MS: DMT-N- of each compound into the ion source. Analytical standards oxide (DMTNO), HDMTNO, MDMTNO (N-oxides were prepared (1 μg/mL) were dissolved in water or methanol and co-infused as described by Fish et al., 1955), 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-β-carboline into the mass spectrometer with mobile phase to obtain optimal signal and fragmentation patterns/information (see Table 1). The (HTHBC) and 6-methoxy-THBC (MTHBC) (β-carbolines were sensitivity was optimized for each compound by manipulating prepared by Pictet–Spengler reactions of the corresponding collision energy to achieve the best signals.
amines with formaldehyde according to the methods described Relevant MS settings for the analysis are shown in Table 1. The by Ho and Walker, 1964). The internal standard was α,α,β,β- source conditions were set as follows: 4.0 kV ion spray voltage, 350 °C capillary temperature, sheath gas (N and was kindly provided by Dr David Nichols (Purdue Univer- 2) pressure of 50 psi.
The resolutions of Q1 and Q3 were set at unit mass. The dwell sity). The structures of the target analytes are shown in Fig. 1.
time was 10 ms for each multiple reaction monitoring transition.
The Quantum Access system used a tune ﬁle, established priorto the analyses being initiated, for DMT as the tune compound.
Solvents and reagents Solvents for liquid chromatography (LC) were obtained from Limits of detection and conﬁrmation Fisher Scientiﬁc (Fairlawn, NJ, USA) and were Optima grade(0.1% formic acid in water, 0.1% formic acid in acetonitrile).
Serial dilutions of standards in aCSF (n = 4) were analyzed usingthe Quantum Access LC/MS/MS system to determine the lowestlimit of detection (LOD) and conﬁrmation. All data were basedon a 30 μL injection volume. Detection of the analyte was not considered positive unless all necessary conﬁrmation criteria Artiﬁcial CSF was prepared in Dr Borjigin's laboratory as were met: retention time match vs in-run standard and relative deﬁned by Alzet retention time to internal standard (±1%), presence of ) and contained NaCl (148 mM), KCl (3 mM), predetermined fragment ions (two to four for each compound, CaCl2 · 2H2O (1.4 mM), MgCl2 · 6H2O (0.8 mM), Na2HPO4 · 7H2O not including the protonated molecular ion) and the agreement (0.8 mM) and NaH2PO4 · H2O (0.2 mM). This solution was used in of ion ratios for the analyte vs in-run reference standards, within the analyses for preparation of standards, method blanks and ±25% relative. Signals for each ion were not considered as spiked controls. The aCSF used for the mass spectral analyses detected unless they also exceeded 3 times baseline noise.
was from the same batch as used to perform the microdialyses.
Both blank aCSF and pineal dialysates from rats were examinedfor the presence of interferences. The target analytes were also Routine analyses were conducted using a Thermo (Thermo examined to determine if any cross-talk would occur between Electron North America, West Palm Beach, FL, USA) Quantum the different compounds, since several of the analytes have Access LC/MS/MS (triple quadrupole) system equipped with the same molecular formula.
Accela 600 pumps and a multiplexed Accela open autosampler/injection system. Analyses were conducted using Thermo Scientiﬁcsoftware (LC Quan 2.7.0 20, Xcalibur 2.2 SP1).
Sample preparation No further preparation of the collected pineal dialysate, otherthan thawing, was required. The internal standard (d4-MDMT), dissolved in 90:10 mobile phase, was added (10 μL) to each sam- Samples (aCSF dialysate obtained from rats, aCSF blanks, spikes ple aliquot (50 μL) to give a ﬁnal concentration of 10 ng/mL.
and controls) were injected (30 μL) onto an Agilent (Santa Clara, Samples were placed into injection vials, capped, mixed and CA, USA) Zorbax Eclipse Plus C held at 4 °C in the dark in the injector tray during the entire 18, 3.0× 100 mm, 3.5 μm particle size column ﬁtted with a 2.0 μm pre-ﬁlter (Grace Davison, period of the analysis (less than 8 h).
Deerﬁeld, IL, USA). Chromatography of the components was ac-complished using a gradient LC program: solvent A = water– Additional conﬁrmation methods 0.1% formic acid (Fisher Optima); solvent B = acetonitrile–0.1%formic acid (Fisher Optima); 0–2 min hold at 98% A–2% B, Analyses for conﬁrmation of DMT employed different fragmen- 2–6 min changing to 50% A–50% B with a 1 min hold, 7–8 min tation conditions than previously reported, generating four changing to 2% A–98% B with a 9 min hold, 17–18 min changing fragment ions (58, 115, 143, 144 m/z) rather than the typical to 98% A–2% B and holding for 6 min before the next injection.
two ions (58 and 144 m/z) for DMT (Kärkkäinen et al., 2005; The ﬂow rate was 300 μL/min throughout the analysis. The waste McIlhenny et al., 2011, 2012).
divert valve was initiated from 0.0 to 1.3 min post injection and Additional conﬁrmation data for DMT, as well as other com- again at 15–24 min.
pounds detected, were also obtained using a Thermo LC/ Biomed. Chromatogr. 2013 Copyright 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
S. A. Barker et al.
Table 1. MS parameters for analytes and internal standard, average retention times and limits of detection CE, Collision energy.
Exactive OrbiTrap high-resolution mass spectrometer equipped Results and discussion with Accela 1250 pumps and a multiplexed Accela openautosampler/injection system. These analyses were performed on Compounds selected for analysis selected samples chosen on the basis of analyte response (inten- The 23 compounds chosen for analysis represent a signiﬁcant sity). Data were collected and processed using Thermo Xcalibur number of the known metabolites of tryptophan in biological 2.2.0.48 and LC Quan 2.7.0 software. The OrbiTrap system was species. They also represent the compounds in the speciﬁc tuned using the exact mass of caffeine (M + 1+; 195.08037) as the pathways related to the potential formation and subsequent reference/lock mass. Spray voltage was 3.8 kV, capillary tempera- metabolism of the three known endogenous DMTs. The ability ture was 300 °C, sheath gas (N2) was set to 25 psi, and the source to monitor their precursors, metabolites, and related central heater temperature was 350 °C. The collision-induced-dissociation nervous system indoleamines, as well as the three DMTs, function was disabled. The same type of LC column was used for simultaneously offers a signiﬁcantly broader opportunity to LC separation of the samples on the Thermo Exactive instrument assess the possible presence and role of these compounds experiments as was used for the experiments conducted on the individually and as a group than has ever been conducted Quantum Access, but a different LC program was utilized to further before (Barker et al., 2012).
assist in conﬁrmation: solvent A = water–0.1% formic acid (Fisher Each of the DMTs (DMT, HDMT, MDMT) is the biosynthetic Optima); solvent B = acetonitrile–0.1% formic acid (Fisher Optima); product of INMT acting on their respective precursors, TA, HTA 0–1 min hold at 90% A–10% B, 1–4 min changing to 50% A–50% B and MTA, yielding as intermediates NMT, HNMT and MNMT with a 1 min hold, 6–7 min changing to 2% A–98% B with a 9 min (for reviews see Barker et al., 1981a, 2012). The DMTs may also hold, 16–17 min changing to 90% A–10% B and holding for 6 min be enzymatically demethylated to yield the same mono- before the next injection. The ﬂow rate was 300 μL/min through- N-methylated compounds. Several studies have also shown the out the analysis.
conversion of these precursors and metabolites to the correspond-ing β-carbolines (THBC, 2MTHBC, HTHBC and MTHBC), occurringeither through condensation with formaldehyde or through a Analyte stability common intermediate, also occurring during demethylation All of the compounds examined were tested for stability in solu- (Barker et al., 1980, 1981a). THBC and MTHBC have been reported tion (artiﬁcial CSF) at 80 °C and 4 °C for up to 6 months and at as endogenous substances appearing in adrenal and pineal ambient temperatures for at least 1 week in the dark. Absolute glands, as well as other tissues (Shoemaker et al., 1978; Barker, responses vs time were compared to determine changes in 1982; Barker et al., 1984, 1979, 1981b; Kari et al., 1983; Beaton and Morris, 1984). All of these precursors and products, except Copyright 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Biomed. Chromatogr. 2013

LC/MS/MS of endogenous DMTs in rat pineal gland microdialysate Figure 2A. (A) Chromatogram of artiﬁcial CSF (aCSF) fortiﬁed with internal standard only (d4-MDMT). (B) Chromatogram of analytes fortiﬁed into aCSF.
(C) Multi-reaction monitoring ions selected for the detection and conﬁrmation of compounds found in pineal gland CSF microdialysate illustratingretention times and ion ratios compared with reference standards.
the β-carbolines, are substrates for monoamine oxidase (MAO), dialysate obtained from the pineal gland, we also monitored yielding as a product the respective indoleacetic acids, IAA, the presence of melatonin, HTRP and HNATA.
HIAA and MIAA. Metabolism of the corresponding primary, sec-ondary or tertiary amines by MAO is the predominant pathway Ion proﬁles and monitoring for their degradation. However, the β-carbolines have beenshown to possess MAO inhibition activity.
The mass spectrometer (Quantum Access) settings required to at- Another major pathway for metabolism of the DMTs is forma- tain the best response and fragment ion information for each com- tion of the corresponding N-oxides (DMTNO, HDMTNO and pound analyzed are given in Table 1 and are typical for such MDMTNO). Inhibition of MAO in vivo greatly elevates the con- compounds on this type of instrument. Three compounds gave centration of the N-oxides relative to the IAAs in the metabolism at least two diagnostic ions while most of the compounds pro- of the DMTs, often making them the major metabolites (Sitaram duced at least three ions for monitoring. Three of the compounds et al., 1987a–c; Sitaram and McLeod, 1990; Kärkkäinen et al., analyzed gave four ions, in addition to the acknowledged source 2005; McIlhenny et al., 2011, 2012; Riba et al., 2012). The N-oxides of the ions being the monitored protonated molecular weight are not substrates for monoamine oxidase (Barker et al., 1980, ion [(M + 1)+]. These protonated molecular ions, their product ions 1981a) and are excreted unchanged in urine (Sitaram et al., and their ratios were used to assist in the identiﬁcation and conﬁr- mation of the analytes. It should be noted that DMT typically gives Kynurenine metabolites of tryptophan or the corresponding only two ions, 58+ and 144+ (Table 1) under previously reported metabolites of the other indolamines were not included in this conditions, as observed by us and others (Kärkkäinen et al., 2005; assay. Recent data generated in vivo suggest that this pathway McIlhenny et al., 2011, 2012). However, to assist in the conﬁrma- is not relevant to the metabolism of DMT, and this is also antic- tion, special conditions for fragmentation were established for ipated to be the case for the other DMTs (McIlhenny et al., 2011, the analysis, with DMT giving four diagnostic ions, 58+, 115+, 2012). Since the analytical study in this case was based on 143+ and 144+ m/z (Table 1 and Fig. 3). The use of more fragment Biomed. Chromatogr. 2013 Copyright 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

S. A. Barker et al.
Figure 2B. (Continued) ions was deemed necessary since the identiﬁcation of DMT has acetonitrile), allowed the target analytes to be sufﬁciently retained been controversial (Barker et al., 2012) and low mass ions such as at the head of the column to permit the elution of salts to occur. As 58+ (m/z) are not always truly diagnostic.
would be expected, the acidic media of the mobile phase lessenedsolution ionization of some of the organic acids being analyzedand produced longer retention times for some of them relative to that observed for some of the bases. The acids, bases and am- Average retention time data for the analysis are shown in Table 1.
photerics represented by these 23 compounds were eluted in a Representative chromatographic data for blank aCSF and ana- 5–9 min window in an order relatively consistent with their polari- lyte-fortiﬁed aCSF (10 ng/mL shown), demonstrating the tempo- ties in the solvent gradient used. This afforded temporal separation ral elution of the target analytes, using a representative ion of most of the components of the analysis. All of the compounds selected for detection for each compound, are shown in Fig. 2 were resolved by the combination of time and mass.
(A and B), respectively. Representative results for compounds The mobile phase was varied during the experiments to move detected in pineal microdialysate samples, illustrating the diag- the compounds to shorter (more initial acetonitrile) or longer nostic ions, their ratios and retention times relative to reference (higher initial water content for a longer period) retention times standards, are shown in Fig. 2(C).
and to establish optimum conditions. Pineal dialysate samples The mobile phase gradient developed afforded the ability to al- shown to be positive for some of the target analytes were treated low salts, which are in millimolar concentrations in aCSF, to be to demonstrate whether or not the retention time match persisted.
eluted to waste before actual ion proﬁle monitoring began, and In every case the shift in retention times was matched by the they were diverted in the ﬁrst 1.3 min of the analyses. The use of detected analyte (data not shown). A more organic initial condi- the waste diversion valve assists in keeping the cone and ion tion/mobile phase gradient (90:10, water–acetonitrile) was subse- source clean. This approach is common practice in LC/MS/MS anal- quently used for the further conﬁrmation of the analytes using the ysis but was, in this case, also based on other published studies Exactive OrbiTrap mass spectrometer, creating different (shorter) monitoring neurotransmitters and related compounds in rat aCSF retention times for the analytes as conﬁrmed from reference stan- microdialysates (Greco et al., 2013; Uutela et al., 2009). The LC dards. Matching of retention times in varying LC conditions is an gradient, starting with a high water content (98% water additional technique to assist in conﬁrmation of unknowns.
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Biomed. Chromatogr. 2013

S. A. Barker et al.
Selectivity and speciﬁcity Limits of detection An examination of aCSF showed no interfering substances that led Limits of detection (LODs) ranged from 0.02 to 2.0 ng/mL (HIAA; to misidentiﬁcation or false detection (as established by the stated Table 1). Standards were analyzed between the range of criteria) of any of the target analytes. Pineal dialysate aCSF from concentrations of 0.01–25 ng/mL to establish the LODs. The rats did show the presence of several of the target analytes as limiting factor in each was the ability to observe the weakest endogenous substances, but did not show any detectable or of the established diagnostic ions at a concentration giving a signiﬁcant interferences with these or other analytes. Cross-talk response greater than 3 times baseline noise. The resulting data between targeted analytes was also examined, since (1) HNMT suggest that the assay is capable of providing reliable analytical and MTA, (2) TRP, HDMT, DMTNO and MNMT, (3) DMT and HTHBC, results for these compounds with a high degree of sensitivity in (4) MDMT and HNATA, and (5) HDMTNO and HTRP have, respec- this matrix.
tively, the same molecular formula and, thus, the same exact mass Detection, and especially quantitation, of these compounds and protonated molecular ion. However, there was adequate tem- in tissue microdialysates is complicated by the dynamic aspects poral separation of the compounds and differences in mass and of the microdialysis process itself (Chefer et al., 2009). Recovery mass fragment ion formation such that no detectable cross-talk/ of the compounds to be analyzed, often called the extraction interference for any of the compounds was observed. The method fraction, relative recovery or probe efﬁciency, can be affected as described and performed here suggests that it possesses a high by the type of probe, probe membrane, ﬂow rate, tissue degree of selectivity and speciﬁcity.
resistance and a number of other factors. For example, theanalyses using the system applied in this case showed thatthe in vitro rate of probe recovery was 14% for 5-HT, 15% forN-acetylserotonin and 12% for melatonin under our experi- Analyte stability mental conditions (data not shown). This is in line with other All of the compounds examined were stable in solution (artiﬁcial published studies. Several studies have also shown that IAA CSF) when stored at 80 °C for up to 6 months (longest time mea- and HIAA, two of the other compounds detected, are also sured) and stable at 4 °C for the same period of time. All of the recovered in this same percentage range using a variety of compounds were stable at ambient temperatures for at least techniques (Kendrick, 1989). It may also be assumed that the 1 week in the dark.
rate of in vitro DMT and TA recovery, the last two compounds Figure 3. The detection of N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) in samples 5332-B 2Hr, nos 23 and 31 as determined by retention time, occurrence of allfour diagnostic ions and the correct ion ratios (±25% relative) vs a DMT reference standard spiked into aCSF at 0.5 ng/mL (ppb).
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Biomed. Chromatogr. 2013

LC/MS/MS of endogenous DMTs in rat pineal gland microdialysate detected, would be within this range as well. Given the quantifying the compounds examined here initially screen chemistry of the remaining compounds examined, it is also samples using the method described to ﬁrst determine which reasonable to assume that their recovery rate is in the same of the many analytes can be conﬁrmed to be present. A suitable range, with many being quite water-soluble or closely related method may then be developed that targets these analytes and, in physicochemical properties to the compounds detected. As thus, simplify the analysis. At that juncture, appropriate valida- with any assay, the combination of recovery rate, inherent in tion, including determination of probe recovery rates and matrix microdialysis techniques, and lack of adequate sensitivity may effects, should be conducted.
combine to give a negative result.
The present protocol was established for the qualitative analysis or screening of pineal microdialysate and, thus, was Method performance not examined for matrix effects. While direct analyses asdescribed here provide a high degree of efﬁciency, they can also The analytical procedure presented here is straightforward, lead to problems arising from the effects of co-eluting matrix requiring, in our hands, no ﬁltration or dilution of the dialysate components. Such effects can enhance or suppress detectability.
for analysis. Such direct analysis limits the ability to gain sensitiv- This is a particular problem for quantitative analyses. Previous ity through the process of extraction and concentration. None- quantitative studies analyzing rat aCSF dialysate for neurotrans- theless, it avoids losses of some of the compounds vs others in mitters and related compounds have examined their methodol- attempting to establish a comprehensive extraction protocol ogy for matrix effects. For example, Cannazza et al. (2012) found for such a large number of chemically diverse compounds.
no evidence for matrix effects in their assay and concluded that Further, we are typically dealing with a rather small sample size this was due to the fact that an initial high water content mobile (240 μL as performed here), which also complicates the use of phase and use of a diverter valve effectively eliminated inor- complex extraction procedures. Such an approach seems ideal ganic salts that often are the source of ion suppression. Potential for this matrix. We noted, however, that the use of a heated interference from proteins is also greatly reduced in microdialy- electrospray probe caused signiﬁcant loss of signal and response sis samples, since the pineal dialysate, in this case speciﬁcally, in the progression of samples. This problem was remedied by had to pass a dialysis probe with a molecular weight cut-off of using an ambient temperature setting on the probe and early 13 kDa. We suggest that future efforts directed toward solvent diversion to waste.
Figure 4. Representative exact mass data for a DMT reference standard and the presumptive DMT peak observed in pineal gland perfusate.
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S. A. Barker et al.
Analytes detected and not detected in rat CSF obtained for a DMT reference standard, occurring at the matchingretention time for DMT (Fig. 4).
Figure 2(C) is illustrative of chromatograms of pineal microdialysate Taken together, the retention time matches (using two differ- samples, showing the major ions used for monitoring and ent LC methods), the presence of four ions generated by moni- conﬁrming the analytes. The chromatograms for the analysis toring and fragmenting a molecule with a nominal protonated of aCSF collected from pineal perfusion (Fig. 2C) show the molecular ion (m/z) of 189+ and the high-resolution matching presence of the compounds HTA, melatonin, TRP, HNATA, HIAA, of the exact mass for this compound vs a reference standard IAA, TA and DMT. Not all of the compounds were detected at all are all scientiﬁcally compelling evidence for the presence of times in all samples. However, as expected, melatonin and HTA DMT in rat pineal gland microdialysate. As noted, DMT was not were consistently detected in pineal dialysate samples. It is detected in all samples, as melatonin and HTA were, and it is important to note that samples positive for DMT were also possible that the presence of measurable levels of DMT may positive for its biosynthetic precursor TA and its terminal be subject to yet undetermined physiological conditions or metabolite IAA. This data illustrates the need to monitor changes as well as time.
precursors and metabolites and the need to follow the affected DMT has previously been reported in human CSF collected by pathways of biosynthesis and degradation, especially with lumbar puncture (Corbett et al., 1978; Smythies et al., 1979). Its changing conditions in experimentation.
origin in this matrix remains unknown. DMT has also previously Three additional representative chromatograms and ion been reported to be present in whole rat brain. In 2005, using a traces of samples collected by pineal gland perfusion of freely sensitive LC/MS/MS approach, Kärkkäinen et al. (2005) reported moving rats conﬁrming the presence of DMT are shown in Fig. 3 the presence of DMT at low pg/g levels (10 and 15 pg/g) in two and are compared with a reference standard for DMT. Figure 3 whole rat brain samples analyzed from MAO-inhibitor treated illustrates the matches obtained for the retention times, pres- animals. In 1984 Beaton and Morris (1984), using GC/MS method- ence of four diagnostic ions and the matches for their ion ratios, ology, also reported DMT as being present in whole rat brain in all meeting stated criteria for conﬁrmation.
low ng/g concentrations. This latter study illustrated changing Within the limits of the assay as described and for the small concentrations of DMT in whole brain with age of the animal number of samples examined here, there was no indication of and also reported the detection of MDMT, THBC and TA. Thus, the presence of the other compounds analyzed. However, the the present research may be seen as corroborating these studies failure to detect many of these substances should not be taken with regard to DMT but is the ﬁrst such study to report the as evidence that they are not biosynthesized or present in the presence of DMT in pineal gland and in live animals.
pineal gland of the rat. In the present study, samples were onlycollected from pineal gland for 2 h during day time. Longitudinalstudies or studies altering physiological conditions may show different data. Nonetheless, despite the presence of the precur-sor for their synthesis (HTA), no MTA, MNMT, MDMT, MDMTNO The method described is a simple, sensitive, speciﬁc and direct or MIAA nor the corresponding β-carboline (MTHBC; pinoline) approach to the qualitative analysis of compounds in the trypto- was detected. Similarly, no HNMT, HDMT, HDMTNO or HTHBC phan pathway related to the biosynthesis and metabolism of the was detected, despite the presence of HTA. However, HIAA endogenous hallucinogens, or DMTs. The method involves the was detected in most samples. Also, although TA was detected direct injection of rat pineal gland aCSF microdialysate and anal-ysis by LC/MS/MS, using stringent MS conﬁrmatory criteria, in some samples as well as DMT, no THBC, NMT, 2MTHBC or including exact mass measurements. It is anticipated that the DMTNO was observed, although IAA, the terminal metabolite same approach would also be viable for application to other for DMT, TA and NMT, was detected in most samples. Pharmaco- tissue perfusates, biological ﬂuids or samples with little or no logical intervention may alter these patterns.
modiﬁcation. The excellent limits of detection, as well as thecapacity to perform qualitative analyses for a large number of Exact mass conﬁrmation of DMT and other detected com- compounds in the tryptophan pathway simultaneously, without pounds in rat CSF requiring extraction, make it a valuable research tool, particularlyfor examining the endogenous hallucinogen pathways in the Additional conﬁrmation of the identity of detected analytes was CNS. We report here for the ﬁrst time the presence of DMT in pi- obtained using the Thermo Exactive mass spectrometer. Thus, neal gland dialysate obtained from the rat. However, the 233.12828 amu/found method will permit the conduct of a range of future experi- 233.12849 amu), HTA (177.10224/177.10214 amu), TA (161.10732/ ments, such as measuring possible circadian changes or 161.10735 amu), IAA (176.07061/176.07057 amu), HIAA (192.06552/ performing dialysis studies in other brain tissues or in the ventri- 192.06511 amu), TRP (205.09715/205.09711 amu) and HNATA cles. Regardless of the sample source, it is also important to be (219.11280/219.11296 amu) detected in samples were further con-ﬁ able to assess the effects of pharmacological treatments, such rmed, with their exact masses agreeing to within ±0.1–0.9 ppm as MAO inhibition or other physiological interventions, on and matching the retention time for the corresponding reference changes in the presence or concentrations of DMT and the other standards (data not shown) using a modiﬁed LC program.
endogenous hallucinogens, their precursors and/or metabolites.
Figure 4 shows representative data obtained for the exact mass measurement of a DMT standard and DMT peaks in rat pinealmicrodialysate samples using the Thermo Exactive instrument and a different LC program from that used in the screening of Barker SA. GC/MS quantiﬁcation and identiﬁcation of endogenous samples using the Thermo Quantum Access instrument. Analysis tetrahydro-beta-carbolines in rat brain and adrenal. In Usdin E (ed.) of samples for DMT by exact mass gave 189.13860 amu [(M + 1)+] The Symposium on Beta-Carbolines and Tetrahydro-isoquinolines. Alan compared with the calculated exact mass of 189.13866 amu R. Liss: New York, 1982; pp. 113–124.
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Framework for continuous palliative sedation therapy in canada

Framework for Continuous Palliative Sedation Therapy in Canada Dean MM1, Cellarius V2, Henry B3, Oneschuk D4, and Librach L5 Preamble Sedation is a commonly used procedure in many medical disciplines including palliative care. It is indicated for a variety of reasons and the type of sedation varies considerably. For example, intentional temporary sedation is sometimes used for procedures (chest-tube insertion, endoscopy, etc.) or insomnia whereas at other times sedation is unintentional (sometimes called secondary or consequential sedation) such as when sedation occurs as a side-effect of a drug being used to control a symptom. Thus the topic of sedation in palliative care practice is vast and complex. To develop this framework the authors reviewed the international literature and palliative sedation policies and protocols from within and without Canada. Recommendations from the first draft were presented at two workshops to full-time and part-time palliative care physicians and to family physicians and a subsequent draft based on feedback from the workshops was then sent to selected inter-professional reviewers across Canada. Their feedback was incorporated into the next draft and this was sent to members of the Canadian Society of Palliative Care Physicians (CSPCP) who were then surveyed for their level of agreement with the recommendations. There was a 29.3% response with over 70% agreement with all but three of the recommendations. This final document addresses planned sedation for management of intolerable and refractory symptoms. It does not address emergency sedation e.g. for an acutely agitated and delirious patient.

tdi.dartmouth.edu

Annals of Internal Medicine The Effectiveness of a Primer to Help People Understand RiskTwo Randomized Trials in Distinct Populations Steven Woloshin, MD, MS; Lisa M. Schwartz, MD, MS; and H. Gilbert Welch, MD, MPH Background: People need basic data interpretation skills to under- point validated scores (interest and confidence in interpreting med-

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Medical Care

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