Hyperthermia and Ecstasy: New Case Study Offers Possible Clue to Ecstasy-caused Deaths

For Immediate Release - May 29, 2007 (Toronto) - 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.

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For more information or to schedule interviews please contact Michael Torres, Media Relations, CAMH at (416) 595-6015