Ischemic stroke associated with the use of a synthetic cannabinoid (spice)

Sebastian Moeller; Caroline Lücke; Tobias Struffert; Bernhard Schwarze; Stefan T Gerner; Stefan Schwab; Martin Köhrmann; Kristin Machold; Alexandra Philipsen; Helge H Müller

doi:10.1016/j.ajp.2016.10.019

Ischemic stroke associated with the use of a synthetic cannabinoid (spice)

Asian J Psychiatr. 2017 Feb:25:127-130. doi: 10.1016/j.ajp.2016.10.019. Epub 2016 Oct 31.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Neurology, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany. Electronic address: [email protected].
² School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Hospital, Karl-Jaspers-Klinik, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Campus University of Oldenburg, Bad Zwischenahn, Germany. Electronic address: [email protected].
³ Department of Neuroradiology, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁴ Department of Forensic Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁵ Department of Neurology, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁶ Department of Neurology, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁷ Department of Neurology, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁸ Department of Neurology, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁹ School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Hospital, Karl-Jaspers-Klinik, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Campus University of Oldenburg, Bad Zwischenahn, Germany. Electronic address: [email protected].
¹⁰ School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Hospital, Karl-Jaspers-Klinik, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Campus University of Oldenburg, Bad Zwischenahn, Germany; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 28262132
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2016.10.019

Abstract

Synthetic cannabinoids, i.e. "spice", are psychoactive drugs with increasing use worldwide. Spice may have harmful neuropsychiatric and physical side effects. Here, we present the case of a 25-year-old man with ischemic stroke after smoking spice on the previous evening. Diagnostic work-up was negative for other common causes of stroke. Toxicology screen unveiled the cannabimimetic ADB-FUBINACA in the drug sample and in patient's urine. The cardiac sympathomimetic effect of spice might have triggered an unnoticed episode of tachyarrhythmia and resulted in stroke via cardioembolic etiology. Thus, in absence of other risk factors, a careful patient history of spice use is recommended for patients with acute neurological deficits.

Keywords: Abuse; Spice; Stroke; Synthetic cannabinoid.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Adult
Brain Ischemia / chemically induced*
Cannabinoids / adverse effects*
Designer Drugs / adverse effects*
Humans
Illicit Drugs / adverse effects*
Male
Stroke / chemically induced*

Substances

Cannabinoids
Designer Drugs
Illicit Drugs