Method of quantifying lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and 2,3-dihydro-3-hydroxy-2-oxo lysergide (O-H-LSD) in human plasma

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 11959929
  • Patent Number
    11,959,929
  • Date Filed
    Wednesday, October 20, 2021
    2 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, April 16, 2024
    25 days ago
Abstract
A method of measuring and identifying LSD and its major metabolite O-H-LSD, by obtaining a sample from an individual, and measuring, identifying, and quantifying LSD and O-H-LSD in the sample by performing a LC-MS/MS analysis. A method of treating and monitoring individuals taking LSD, by administering a microdose of LSD, a prodrug of LSD, or an analog of LSD to the individual, monitoring the individual by obtaining a sample from an individual and measuring and identifying the analytes in the sample by performing a LC-MS/MS analysis, and adjusting the microdose based on the amount of LSD quantified in the LC-MS/MS analysis. A method of adjusting dosing of LSD, by administering a microdose of LSD, a prodrug of LSD, or an analog of LSD to the individual, and adjusting the microdose based on blood concentration analytics.
Description
GRANT INFORMATION

Research in this application was supported in part by a grant from the Swiss National Science Foundation (Grant No. 32003B_185111).


BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to compositions and methods for quantification and identification of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and its major metabolite 2,3-dihydro-3-hydroxy-2-oxo lysergide (O-H-LSD) in human plasma.


2. Background Art

LSD is a prototypical psychedelic (hallucinogen) that is widely used for recreational purposes (Krebs & Johansen, 2013). However, efforts are ongoing to use LSD among others for treatment of depression and anxiety, substance use, and cluster headache (Gasser et al., 2014; Liechti, 2017). In addition, LSD microdosing has recently become popular to improve cognitive function and mood. In this regard, users take very low doses of 5-20 μg LSD in 2- to 5-day intervals (Hutten et al., 2019). Furthermore, such microdoses may also be used therapeutically to treat medical conditions in the future (Kuypers et al., 2019; Kuypers, 2020). For example, microdoses of LSD reduce pain perception (Ramaekers et al., 2021) and increased markers of neuroregeneration in humans (Hutten et al., 2020).


With a rapidly growing interest of applying LSD as a potential therapeutic agent for various psychiatric disorders, it is essential to expand the knowledge of its clinical pharmacology and in particular its pharmacokinetics (PK). Therefore, measuring LSD exposure in patients and users is essential to research associations between drug exposure and therapeutic or toxic effects. PK data is needed to generate reference concentration values to adjust dosing in patients treated with LSD. For example, plasma concentrations may be measured in patients, who do not show the expected acute psychoactive response to LSD or an insufficient therapeutic response. To this aim, a method is needed to measure the LSD concentration in plasma at a defined time point or repeatedly (Cmax or full PK profile) and the patient's values can then be compared with reference data from a larger population to determine correct dosing and to adjust dosing within a therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) approach for LSD-assisted therapy. Moreover, drug-drug interaction studies are pending, which are crucial to ensure safe and effective therapies. In this context, it is important to quantify metabolites of LSD as well, such as O-H-LSD, which assist interpreting drug-drug interaction data. Finally, suitable bioanalytical methods are required to identify drug abuse considering that the access to LSD, if available as therapeutic agent, might be easier.


PK data has been established mostly for higher doses of LSD (Dolder et al., 2015; Dolder et al., 2017; Holze et al., 2019; Holze et al., 2021b). In contrast, PK data on microdoses of LSD is scarce (Family et al., 2020; Holze et al., 2021a). A key limitation to establishing PK data on microdosing as a sensitive analytical method to detect and validly quantify LSD plasma levels after administration of very low doses of LSD. The present innovation provides for such a method.


Overall, detection and reliable quantitation of LSD is difficult, especially when microdoses are administered. Several studies investigated the subjective and behavioral effects of LSD microdoses (Bershad et al., 2019; Holze et al., 2021a; Yanakieva et al., 2019); however, only two studies managed to report also plasma concentration time profiles of LSD (Family et al., 2020; Holze et al., 2021). Because the sensitivity of the employed methodology was insufficient, plasma levels of 5 μg LSD doses could not be determined in one study (Family et al., 2020) and for 10 and 20 μg treatments only incomplete profiles were established, which did only partially cover invasion and elimination of LSD. In the other study, the method of quantification was sensitive and consisted of the method presented here, but plasma could only be sampled in a fraction of the participants (Holze et al., 2021). Therefore, more PK data on LSD including microdoses is needed and a sensitive and work-optimized novel method of detection is needed.


In the past decades, several methods have been developed to quantify LSD and O-H-LSD as summarized in FIG. 1. (Legend for FIG. 1: Analytes (LSD: lysergic acid diethylamide, O-H-LSD: 2,3-dihydro-3-hydroxy-2-oxo lysergide, nor-LSD: norlysergic acid diethylamide); Matrices (P: plasma, S: serum, B: whole blood, U: urine, H: hair, V: vitreous humor); Methodology (LC-MS/MS: liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, LC-MS: liquid chromatography mass spectrometry, GC-MS: gas chromatography mass spectrometry, GC-MS/MS: gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, LC-FLD: High performance liquid chromatography fluoresence detection, MALDI-MS: Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation mass spectrometry, LC-HRM: Liquid chromatography high resolution mass spectrometry); Extraction (PP: Plasma protein precipitation extraction, LLE: Liquid-liquid extraction, SPE: Solid-phase extraction, online SPE: automated SPE, E/R: Sample evaporation and reconstitution, DRV: derivatization); Mobile Phase (H2O: Water, AcN: Acetonitrile, MeOH: Methanol, NH4OAc: Ammonium acetate, NH4HCO3: Ammonium bicarbonate, NH4HCO2: Ammonium formate, HCOOH: formic acid, HOAc: Acetic acid); Rel. sensitivity (Relative sensitivity of the method (pg/ml)); Abs. sensitivity (Absolute sensitivity of the method (pg). Rel. sensitivity multiplied by the sample volume (ml)), and Quant range (Quantification range corresponding to the limits of quantification).) Most methods have focused on quantification of LSD for drug screening or preliminary pharmacokinetic studies involving limited sample size. In the 1990s, several gas chromatography single mass spectrometry methods were developed for quantification of LSD and O-H-LSD mainly in urine but also blood plasma. Those methods required large sample volumes of 2-10 ml and to that effect a laborious extraction procedure involving liquid-liquid extraction or solid-phase extraction. The originated extract had to be evaporated and resuspended in a solvent, which is suitable for gas chromatographic analysis. Finally, in most cases derivatization of the analytes was necessary to improve the separation and sensitivity of the methods. Around the turn of the millennium, the first liquid chromatography single and tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) methods were established for LSD analysis in human body fluids. Those methods required less sample (˜1 ml) but still a complex extraction protocol, which involved either liquid-liquid or solid phase purification of the biological sample. However, in contrast to gas chromatography methods, derivatization could be omitted. Importantly, total analysis time per sample was rarely below 10 minutes. In the last decade, novel LC-MS/MS methods evolved, achieving lower limits of quantification in the low pg/ml range. Strikingly, only few methods achieved a lower limit of quantification suitable for analyzing the PK of LSD microdoses. Those methods made use of elaborative sample processing methods, as described above, and thus required still a moderate amount of sample (˜0.5 ml). Overall and to our best knowledge, none of the published methods are suitable for high-throughput analysis and for that reason not eligible when large amounts of samples must be analyzed. In addition, these methods are, because of their complex extraction procedure, not practical for routine therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) analysis.


Therefore, there remains a need for a novel and an effective method of evaluating LSD and O-H-LSD in plasma especially following treatment with LSD microdoses.


SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides for a method of measuring and identifying LSD and its major metabolite O-H-LSD, by obtaining a sample from an individual, and measuring, identifying, and quantifying LSD and O-H-LSD in the sample by performing a LC-MS/MS analysis.


The present invention provides for a method of treating and monitoring individuals taking LSD, by administering a microdose of LSD, a prodrug of LSD, or an analog of LSD to the individual, monitoring the individual by obtaining a sample from an individual and measuring and identifying the analytes in the sample by performing a LC-MS/MS analysis, and adjusting the microdose based on the amount of LSD quantified in the LC-MS/MS analysis.


The present invention also provides for a method of adjusting dosing of LSD, by administering a microdose of LSD, a prodrug of LSD, or an analog of LSD to the individual, and adjusting the microdose based on blood concentration analytics.





DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other advantages of the present invention are readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:



FIG. 1 is a table comparing the present invention with previously published analytical methods that quantify LSD in human body fluids or tissues;



FIG. 2 is a graph of the chromatographic separation of LSD and O-H-LSD and their respective internal standards, LSD-d3 and O-H-LSD-d10, in human plasma;



FIGS. 3A-3C are graphs showing the calibration line of LSD and O-H-LSD in human plasma (FIG. 3A on Jul. 18, 2020, FIG. 3B on Jul. 20, 2020, and FIG. 3C on Jul. 21, 2020);



FIGS. 4A-4D are graphs demonstrating that LSD and O-H-LSD can be selectively determined in human plasma processed with (blank) and without internal standard (double blank), an overlay of seven O-H-LSD (FIG. 4A) and LSD (FIG. 4B) double Blank (thick black line) and LLOQ (dashed line) chromatograms is shown, and an overlay of seven O-H-LSD (FIG. 4C) and LSD (FIG. 4D) blank (thick black line) and LLOQ (dashed line) chromatograms is shown; and



FIG. 5 is a graph showing that the pharmacokinetics of three healthy volunteers receiving an oral dose of 5 μg LSD can be established with the developed method.





DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides for a method of measuring LSD and its metabolite O-H-LSD in a human sample such as plasma. This method is validated providing information of the quality and performance of the method and an application in human subjects including first description of the pharmacokinetics of very low doses of LSD including 5-25 μg LSD microdoses.


“Sample” as used herein, refers to a sample of plasma, blood, urine, saliva, or other bodily fluid from an individual, and preferably from a human or mammal.


“Metabolite” as used herein, refers to an intermediate or end product of an original active compound as the product of metabolism. The metabolites in the present invention are preferably metabolites of LSD, including O-H-LSD. Besides LSD, other prodrugs of LSD have been described or are being developed. The method can also be used to determine amounts of LSD and O-H-LSD after administration of any other prodrug of LSD or any other LSD analog that results in the same metabolites. Furthermore, the method can be adjusted to include the analysis of other ergotamine compounds. This includes the analytical method as well as the concept of TDM for LSD-analog-assisted psychotherapy.


“LC-MS/MS” as used herein, refers to a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analytical chemistry technique.


The present invention provides for a method of measuring and identifying LSD and its metabolite O-H-LSD by obtaining a sample from an individual and measuring and identifying the analytes in the sample by performing a LC-MS/MS analysis. In contrast to existing LC-MS/MS methods the present invention can processes the samples in a less laborious manner and requires therefore less time for the analysis. Therefore, a well-plate containing 96 samples can be processed within 40 minutes. That includes two steps, a sample extraction (addition of extraction solvent to each sample) and 30 minutes centrifugation of the plate. Moreover, the analysis time of a sample, the chromatographic run, is shorter than almost all existing methods, qualifying the present method for high throughput analyses. Run time for analysis can be 4 minutes per sample.


The present invention requires considerably less sample material and is still more or at least equally sensitive than other known methods. The amount of sample needed to be obtained from the subject is 300 μL, which is a sufficient amount of material if re-analyses have to be performed. 50 μL of sample can be used in the actual LC-MS/MS method. In terms of absolute sensitivity, the present invention can quantify 0.5 pg LSD, whereas the quantification limit of existing methods is larger than 2.5 pg. This low quantification limit allows to quantify plasma levels of LSD after administration of microdoses of LSD, which could not be validly measured with existing methods. This high sensitivity also allows quantifying plasma levels of LSD longer after administration of any dose of LSD and expanding the window of a positive documentation of past LSD use using human plasma. Quantification with the method can be up to six hours after administration. Importantly, methods using the same type of tandem mass spectrometer, an API 5500, did not reach our quantification limits, pointing out that our extraction and chromatographic approach is advantageous compared to others (Grumann et al., 2019) (Steuer et al., 2017). Finally, the present invention will be important to set-up reference PK data for later TDM. This analytical method and the associated TDM application can be used to identify individuals who have taken LSD, and whether LSD levels are in the therapeutic range. Dosing of the LSD can be adjusted in the individual as needed based on the amount of LSD quantified in the method. Additionally, simultaneous determination of O-H-LSD can be used to interpret drug-drug interactions or the influence of diseases such as liver or kidney insufficiency on the PK properties of LSD.


A thorough development and full validation according to regulatory bioanalytical guidelines (FDA/EMA) of an LC-MS/MS method is provided for the analysis of LSD and O-H-LSD in human (EMA, 2011; FDA, 2018). Herein, a state-of-the-art LC-MS/MS method is described to investigate the PK of LSD and O-H-LSD. The method provides advantages over other prior art methods as it is at least 5-times more sensitive, uses small amounts of sample, involves an uncomplicated extraction protocol, and includes rapid sample analysis. In order to accomplish the aforementioned methodological advantages, plasma proteins were precipitated with acetonitrile. Afterwards, the samples were centrifuged to solidify the precipitate on the bottom of the analysis tube, permitting injection of the protein free supernatant into the LC-MS/MS system. The injected samples were diluted online via a T-union installed in front of the analytical column, enhancing the interaction with the column. A pH resistant analytical column was selected so as to use a high pH of 9.0 for mobile phase A. This further improved the attraction and retention of LSD to the column and hence also the sensitivity of the method. Overall, a semi-automated workflow to extract and analyze samples in 96-well plate format is operable with the present invention, facilitating high-throughput analysis. Relevantly, the method was put into practice and the clinical application of the method was demonstrated by assessing the PK of LSD microdoses in healthy participants in a clinical study. It was thereby demonstrated that lowest dosages of 5 μg LSD can effortlessly be monitored over a long period in human plasma.


LSD is prototype hallucinogenic drug, which is investigated as a medication to treat a range of psychiatric disorders (Gasser et al., 2014; Liechti, 2017). The pharmacokinetic properties of LSD in particular at low doses are not sufficiently characterized with only two preliminary studies (Family et al., 2020; Holze et al., 2021a). There is a need for validly and rapidly measuring LSD plasma levels to analyze human plasma samples from pharmacokinetics studies and other clinical trials. O-H-LSD is a main inactive metabolite of LSD, which is largely renally eliminated.


Once LSD is marketed and regularly used in patients there is a need to determine plasma concentrations for TDM. For example, plasma levels of the drug can be determined in patients not responding to usual doses of LSD to adjust dosing. However, a method is needed to reliably and rapidly measure LSD concentration in plasma allowing to provide physicians with such information. Therefore, the method must be uncomplicated to be practical for routine analyses. Additionally, LSD to O-H-LSD metabolic ratios may be used to identify slow or rapid metabolizers. Metabolic ratios will also be helpful to adjust doses in case patients suffer from kidney or liver insufficiency. Finally, LSD and O-H-LSD levels can be used to diagnose intoxications. Therefore, the present invention was developed and validated and includes a rapid LC-MS/MS method to quantify LSD and O-H-LSD in human plasma. Plasma samples were processed by protein precipitation using acetonitrile. The injected sample was mixed with aqueous solution of ammonium bicarbonate (pH 9) in front of the pH stable C18 analytical column to increase retention of the analytes. LSD and O-H-LSD were detected by multiple reaction monitoring in positive and negative electrospray ionization mode, respectively.


The present invention provides for a method of treating and monitoring individuals taking LSD, by administering a microdose of LSD, a prodrug of LSD, or an analog of LSD to the individual, monitoring the individual by obtaining a sample from an individual and measuring and identifying the analytes in the sample by performing a LC-MS/MS analysis, and adjusting the microdose based on the amount of LSD quantified in the LC-MS/MS analysis. This method can be used to slightly adjust the dosing and effects of LSD in an individual. Since a microdose is so small, there can be a dramatic variation in its efficacy or toxicity. Therefore, it is critical to measure the amount of LSD in vivo and monitor the individual to adjust dosing.


The present invention also provides generally for a method of adjusting dosing of LSD, by administering a microdose of LSD, a prodrug of LSD, or an analog of LSD to the individual, and adjusting the microdose based on blood concentration analytics. The blood concentration analytics are obtained by performing the LC-MS/MS analysis as above.


As described in EXAMPLE 1 below, an inter-assay accuracy of 94.1-104% and precision of ≥9.1% was recorded over three validation runs. The recovery was complete (≥98.3%) and importantly, consistent over different concentration levels and plasma batches (CV %: ≥3.84%). The plasma matrix caused almost no ion suppression (−10.0%) and endogenous interferences could be separated from the analytes. LSD and O-H-LSD plasma samples can be thawed and re-frozen for three cycles, kept at room temperature for 8 hours without showing degradation (≤8.83%). The linear range (R ≥0.997) of the method covered plasma concentrations observed in humans following microdoses of as low as 5 μg up to high doses of 200 μg LSD and was therefore able to assess the pharmacokinetics of LSD and O-H-LSD. The LC-MS/MS method was convenient and reliable for measuring LSD and O-H-LSD in plasma and is useful to facilitate the clinical development of LSD and TDM when LSD is used in patients.


The invention is further described in detail by reference to the following experimental examples. These examples are provided for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to be limiting unless otherwise specified. Thus, the invention should in no way be construed as being limited to the following examples, but rather, should be construed to encompass any and all variations which become evident as a result of the teaching provided herein.


EXAMPLE 1
Objective

The objective of this study was to validate an analytical method for the simultaneous quantification of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and 2,3-dihydro-3-hydroxy-2-oxo lysergide (O-H-LSD) in human plasma on the API 5500 QTRAP LC-MS/MS system. The method is being used for the analysis of plasma samples from clinical studies using LSD. The analyses were conducted at the University Hospital Basel.


Summary of the Bioanalytical Method

A bioanalytical method was developed and validated for the simultaneous quantification of LSD and O-H-LSD in human plasma samples by LC-MS/MS on the API 5500 QTRAP tandem mass spectrometer. Calibration (Cal) and quality control (QC) samples were prepared in human plasma. Day-to-day performance was controlled by the analysis of QC samples. The work-up of samples was carried out with 50 μl human plasma, whereas 50 μl aliquots were mixed with 150 μl internal standard (ISTD) working solution. Samples were vortex-mixed for about 1 minute and centrifuged in order to obtain a clear supernatant without plasma proteins. An aliquot of 10 μl supernatant was injected into the LC-MS/MS system. All Cal and QC samples were subjected to the same assay procedure. The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was set to 10 pg/ml, while the upper limit of quantification (ULOQ) was set to 10,000 pg/ml. The analytical method was validated according to criteria specified by the FDA Bioanalytical Method Validation Guidance for Industry, May 2018 (FDA, 2018).


Reference Items

The following reference substances were used for the preparation of the ISTN solution and Cal and QC samples.









TABLE 1





Reference substances







LSD










Identity
Lysergic acid diethylamide



Solvent
Acetonitrile



Origin
Lipomed



Storage
−20° C.



Formula
C20H25N3O



Molecular weight
323.44



Chemical Purity
 >98.5%



Batch number
CAL:397.1B17.1L4A




QC: 397.1B17.1V4



Expiry date
CAL: November 2020




QC: November 2021







LSD-d3










Identity
Lysergic acid diethylamide-d3



Solvent
Acetonitrile



Origin
Lipomed



Storage
−20° C.



Formula
C20H22D3N3O



Molecular weight
326.41



Chemical Purity
 >95.0%



Isotopic purity
D0/D3: 0.1



Batch number
582.1B3.1L2A



Expiry date
January 2022







O—H-LSD










Identity
2,3-dihydro-3-hydroxy-2-oxo




lysergide



Solvent
DMSO



Origin
Toronto Research




Chemicals



Storage
−20° C.



Formula
C20H25N3O3



Molecular weight
355.43



Chemical purity
   96.0%



Batch number
5-LIJ-8-3



Retest date
January 2021







O—H-LSD-d10










Identity
2,3-dihydro-3-hydroxy-2-oxo




lysergide-d10



Solvent
DMSO



Origin
Toronto Research Chemicals



Storage
−20° C.



Formula
C20H15D10N3O3



Molecular weight
365.49



Chemical purity
    94.16%



Isotopic purity
   98.7%



Batch number
5-LIJ-10-4



Expiry date
February 2022










Blank Human Plasma

Blank human plasma (anticoagulants: lithium heparin), was obtained by the local blood donation center (Blutspendezentrum SRK beider Basel, Hebelstrasse 10, 4056 Basel, Switzerland). The plasma was stored at about −20° C.


Apparatus, Reagents, and Materials

LC-MS/MS System















Mass
API 5500 mass spectrometer (AB Sciex, Concord,


spectrometer
Canada)


Controller
CBM-20A system controller (Shimadzu, Kyoto, Japan)


Autosampler
SIL-30ACMP autosampler (Shimadzu, Kyoto, Japan)


Degasser 1
DGU-20A5R degasser (Shimadzu, Kyoto, Japan)


Degasser 2
DGU-20A3 degasser (Shimadzu, Kyoto, Japan)


Column oven
CTO-20AC oven (Shimadzu, Kyoto, Japan)


LC Pump A
LC-30AD pump (Shimadzu, Kyoto, Japan)


LC Pump B
LC-30AD pump (Shimadzu, Kyoto, Japan)


LC Pump C
LC-30AD pump (Shimadzu, Kyoto, Japan)


LC Pump D
LC-30AD pump (Shimadzu, Kyoto, Japan)









Equipment















Balance
Analytical balance XP26 (Mettler Toledo, Ohio, USA)


Centrifuge
Eppendorf 5810R centrifuge (Eppendorf, Hamburg,



Germany)


Vortex mixer
Multi-Tube vortexer VX-2500 (VWR, Pennsylvania,



USA)


Autosampler
Matrix tubes (0.75 ml, Thermo Fisher Scientific,


tubes
Massachusetts, USA)


Cal/QC tubes
Nunc CryoTubes (3.6 & 4.5 ml, Thermo Fisher



Scientific, Massachusetts, USA)


Cal/QC tubes
Micro tubes (1.5 ml, Sarstedt, Nümbrecht, Germany)









HPLC COLUMN


















Analytical column
Kinetex EVO Cis, 1.7 μm, 50 × 2.1 mm




(Phenomenex, Torrance, USA)










Chemicals















Formic acid
98-100% for analysis (Merck, Darmstadt, Germany)


Methanol
LiChrosolv for chromat. (Merck, Darmstadt, Germany)


Acetonitrile
LiChrosolv for chromat. (Merck, Darmstadt, Germany)


Isopropanol
LiChrosolv for chromat. (Merck, Darmstadt, Germany)


Water
LiChrosolv for chromat. (Merck, Darmstadt, Germany)


Ammonium
LiChropur for LC-MS (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, USA)


bicarbonate


Ammonium
≥25% solution for LC-MS (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis,


hydroxide
USA)









Description of the LC-MS/MS System

Acquisition Method















Acquisition name
2018 Aug. 21 LSD_OH-LSD_NOR-LSD.dam









Mobile Phases












Mobile Phases


















Pump A and C
20 mM ammonium bicarbonate in H2O




(pH was adjusted to 9.0 using




ammonium hydroxide solution (≥25% v/v))



Pump B and D
Acetonitrile + 0.1% formic acid










Autosampler Wash Solution


















Wash solution
Methanol/H2O/acetonitrile/isopropanol



mixture:
1/1/1/1 (v/v/v/v)










LC-MS/MS Settings

Initial HPLC Settings


















Pumping mode
Binary Flow











Flow LC pump A and B
0.1
ml/min



Flow LC pump C
0.5
ml/min



Oven temp
30°
C.



Autosampler temperature
10°
C.



Rinsing volume
0.5
ml before aspiration



Injection loop
50
μl



Injected volume
10
μl










MS valve
Position A (HPLC connected




with the solvent waste)

















TABLE 2







HPLC pump gradient program and time


events for LSD and O—H-LSD analyses










Time
Module
Event
Parameters





0.00
MS Valve
Switch
A


0.50
Pumps
Pump B
10


0.50
Pumps
Pump C
 0


0.50
Pumps
Total Flow
  0.6


1.00
MS Valve
Switch
B


2.75
Pumps
Pump B
95


3.00
MS Valve
Switch
A


3.50
Pumps
Pump B
95


3.51
Pumps
Pump B
10


4.00
Controller
Stop









Between minute 1.0 to 3.0 of each run the HPLC flow was directed into the mass spectrometer (right valve position B) otherwise into the solvent waste bottle.


Retention Times of the Analytes


















LSD
1.8 min



LSD-d3
1.8 min



O—H-LSD
1.5 min



O—H-LSD-d10
1.5 min










Mass Spectrometer Settings















Source interface
Turbo Ion Spray (electrospray ionization)


Polarity
Positive


Run time (per sample)
4 min


Scan type
MRM mode


Acquisition mode
Profile









The m/z values of the different ions used to monitor the concentrations of the analytes and ISTD in human plasma are listed below in TABLE 3. A chromatogram of LSD and O-H-LSD is depict in FIG. 2.









TABLE 3







Analyte specific settings used for the analysis of LSD and O—H-LSD.














Analyte
Q1 mass, Da
Q3 mass, Da
Time, msec
DP, V
EP, V
CE, V
CXP, V

















LSD I
324.1
223.2
15
131
10
33
20


LSD II
324.1
207.1
15
131
10
57
16


LSD-d3 I
327.1
226.2
15
126
10
33
16


LSD-d3 II
327.1
210.1
15
126
10
63
14


O—H-LSD I
356.1
222.0
15
161
10
41
16


O—H-LSD II
356.1
237.0
15
161
10
33
16


O—H-LSD-d10 I
366.2
222.0
15
176
10
45
18


O—H-LSD-d10
366.2
237.2
15
176
10
35
16










FIG. 2 is a chromatogram of LSD (5000 pg/ml) and O-H-LSD (5000 pg/ml) in human plasma. LSD-d3 and O-H-LSD-d10 were used as internal standards. LSD and O-H-LSD eluted after 1.78 and 1.51 minutes, respectively. The chromatogram was recorded on Jul. 21, 2020.


Data Acquisition and Calculation

Sample lists, acquisition method, data collection, and quantification were generated with Analyst software (version 1.7.1) from AB Sciex. The concentrations of LSD and O-H-LSD in Cal and QC samples were calculated by the internal standardization method. Data for the mean, standard deviation, accuracy and precision for Cal and QC samples were calculated with Excel Office 365 from Microsoft (Washington, USA).


Data Reporting

Assay results for the analytes were rounded to three significant digits. Concentrations below 10 pg/ml were reported as “blq”.


Preparation of Stock and Working Solutions

The concentrations of the solutions are based on the free and unionized form of the drug. All solutions were prepared in 1.5 ml micro tubes (Sarstedt, Nümbrecht, Germany).


LSD Stock Solutions


Stock Solutions for Cal Samples: 0.1 mg/ml of LSD in Acetonitrile


A solution of 0.1 mg/ml LSD in acetonitrile was purchased from Lipomed (Arlesheim, Switzerland).


Stock Solutions for QC Samples: 1 mg/ml of LSD in Acetonitrile


An exact weight of 1.0 mg LSD was purchased from Lipomed (Arlesheim, Switzerland) and dissolved in 985 μl acetonitrile (LSD purity: 98.5%).


ISTD Stock Solutions: 0.1 mg/ml LSD-d3 in Acetonitrile


A solution of 0.1 mg/ml LSD-d3 in acetonitrile was purchased from Lipomed (Arlesheim, Switzerland).


O-H-LSD Stock Solutions


Stock solutions for Cal samples: 1 mg/ml of O-H-LSD in DMSO


An exact weight of 1.094 mg O-H-LSD was purchased from Toronto Research Chemicals (Ontario, Canada) and dissolved in 1050 μl DMSO (O-H-LSD purity: 96%).


Stock Solutions for QC Samples: 1 mg/ml of O-H-LSD in DMSO


An exact weight of 1.233 mg O-H-LSD was purchased from Toronto Research Chemicals (Ontario, Canada) and dissolved in 1184 μl DMSO (O-H-LSD purity: 96%).


ISTD Stock Solutions: 1 mg/ml O-H-LSD-d10 in -MSO


A weight of 1 mg of O-H-LSD-d10 was dissolved in 1000 μl with DMSO.


The above preparations were shaken until complete dissolution and afterwards stored in the freezer at −20° C.


Working Solutions


Stock Solution Mix for Cal Samples (Mix-C): 2500 ng/ml of LSD and O-H-LSD


LSD (0.1 mg/ml) and O-H-LSD (1 mg/ml) stock solutions were individually diluted to a final concentration of 10 μg/ml in DMSO. Therefore, 50 μl of LSD (0.1 mg/ml) was mixed with 450 μL DMSO and 10 μl of O-H-LSD (1 mg/ml) was added to 990 μl DMSO. Afterwards, 250 μL of each working solution (10 μg/ml) was mixed with 500 μL of DMSO. The resulting solution has a concentration of 2500 ng/ml LSD and O-H-LSD.


Stock Solution Mix for QC Samples (Mix-Q): 2500 ng/ml of LSD and O-H-LSD.


LSD and O-H-LSD stock solutions (1 mg/ml) were individually diluted to a final concentration of 10 μg/ml in DMSO. Therefore, 10 μl of each stock solution was added to 990 μL of DMSO. Afterwards, 250 μL of each working solution (10 μg/ml) was mixed with 500 μL of DMSO. The resulting solution has a concentration of 2500 ng/ml LSD and O-H-LSD.


The above preparations were shaken until complete dissolution and afterwards stored in the freezer at −20° C.


Preparation of Calibration Samples

Ten Cal samples with concentrations ranging from 10 to 10000 pg/ml were prepared using Mix-C working solution. The dilution procedure is reported in TABLES 4A and 4B.









TABLES 4A and 4B







Preparation of Cal samples









A. CAL working solutions prepared in DMSO

B. CAL samples prepared in human plasma

















Conc. in




Conc. in






DMSO
VAnalyte
VDMSO
Vtot

plasma
VCAL
VPlasma
Vtot


ID
(ng/ml)
[μl]
[μl]
[μl]

(pg/ml)
[μl]
[μl]
[μl]



















Mix-C
2500










CAL 1
1000
400
600
1000

10000
20
1980
2000


CAL 2
500
500
500
1000

5000
20
1980
2000


CAL 3
250
500
500
1000

2500
20
1980
2000


CAL 4
100
400
600
1000

1000
20
1980
2000


CAL 5
50
500
500
1000

500
20
1980
2000


CAL 6
25
500
500
1000

250
20
1980
2000


CAL 7
10
400
600
1000

100
20
1980
2000


CAL 8
5
500
500
1000

50
20
1980
2000


CAL 9
2.5
500
500
1000

2.5
20
1980
2000


CAL 10
1
400
600
1000

10
20
1980
2000









Working solutions were stored in 1.5 ml micro tubes (Sarstedt, Germany) at about −20° C. (TABLE 4A). The volumes reported in TABLE 4B were used to prepare 2 ml Cal samples in human plasma. Aliquots of 50 μl were stored in 0.75 ml micro tubes at about −20° C.


Preparation of Quality Control Samples

QC samples at five different concentrations of LSD and O-H-LSD were prepared using Mix-Q working solution. Working solutions were prepared as described in TABLE 5A, while QCs in plasma were prepared according to TABLE 5B.









TABLES 5A and 5B







Preparation of QC samples









A. QC working solutions prepared in DMSO

B. QC samples prepared in human plasma

















Conc. in




Conc. in






DMSO
VAnalytes
VDMSO
Vtot

plasma
VQC
VPlasma
Vtot


ID
(ng/ml)
[μl]
[μl]
[μl]

(pg/ml)
[μl]
[μl]
[μl]



















MIX-Q
2500










ULOQ
1000
400
600
1000

10000
40
3960
4000


QCHigh
100
100
900
1000

1000
40
3960
4000


QCMID
10
100
900
1000

100
40
3960
4000


QCLOW
2.5
250
750
1000

25
40
3960
4000


LLOQ
1.0
400
600
1000

10
40
3960
4000









Working solutions were stored in 1.5 ml micro tubes (Sarstedt, Germany) at about −20° C. (TABLE 5A). The volumes reported in TABLE 5B were used to prepare 4 ml QC samples in human plasma. Aliquots of 50 μl were stored in 0.75 ml Thermo micro tubes at about −20° C.


Preparation of Internal Standard Solutions

ISTD Working Solution: 100 pg/ml LSD-d3 and 250 pg/ml O-H-LSD-d10 in Acetonitrile


50 μl LSD-d3 stock solution (0.1 mg/ml) was prepared in 450 μl acetonitrile to receive a working solution of 10 μg/ml. 10 μl of O-H-LSD-d10 stock solution (1 mg/ml) was prepared in 990 μl acetonitrile to receive a solution of 10 μg/ml.


5 μL of LSD-d3 working solution (10 μg/ml) and 12.5 μL of O-H-LSD-d10 working solution (10 μg/ml) were added to 500 ml acetonitrile to receive a solution of 100 pg/ml and 250 pg/ml, respectively. The solution was stored at about −20° C.


Sample Extraction

Plasma samples used for validation runs were thawed and worked up as stated below at 1-4.


1. Thaw the individual Cal and QC samples (50 μl aliquots).


2. Add 150 μl ISTD (Blank: acetonitrile).


3. Vortex for at least 30 seconds.


4. Centrifuge at 10° C. and 3220 g for 30 minutes.


Worked-up samples were stored at about 10° C. if not used immediately.


Principles and Calculations

Composition of an Analytical and Validation Run


An analytical run included two sets of ten Cal samples, two double Blank samples (without ISTD), two Blank samples (with ISTD) and at least three QC samples at three different concentrations (low, medium, and high concentration). For a validation run seven QC samples at five concentration levels (LLOQ, QCLOW, QCMID, QCHIGH, ULOQ) were investigated. The QC samples were placed between the two sets of Cal samples. Blank samples were run before and after the calibrations. The Cal and QC samples were worked up and analyzed in the same way.


Acceptance Criteria for a Validation Run


The following conditions must be met:


The percent deviation of the lowest calibration point of the nominal value must be within ±20%.


The percent deviation of the other Cal samples of the nominal value must be within ±15%.


At least 75% of all Cal samples (including one highest and one lowest) must fulfill the above criteria.


The correlation coefficient (R) for the Cal curve must be greater than 0.99.


≥67% (e.g., five out of 7) of the QC samples of one concentration level must be within ±15% of their theoretical value. Concentrations had to be within ±20% for the LLOQ.


The analyte signal intensity in double Blank samples must be less than 20% of the limit of quantification signal.


Acceptance Criteria for an Analytical Run


≥67% (e.g. five out of seven) of all QC samples must be within ±15% of the theoretical values. 33% of the QC samples (not all replicates at the same concentration) can be outside ±15% of the theoretical values, otherwise the run is re-injected or completely reanalyzed.


Calculation of Calibration Samples


MultiQuant software (version 3.0.3) was used to perform a linear regression by plotting measured peak area ratios of each analyte and the respective deuterated ISTD against the nominal concentration. LSD-d3 was used to normalize the LSD response, whereas O-H-LSD-d10 was used for O-H-LSD normalization. A weighting factor of 1/x2 was selected for the linear regressions. All Cal samples that fulfill the specifications were used to generate the standard calibration curve. This means for a valid run a standard calibration curve consisted of at least fifteen to a maximum of twenty Cal samples. Cal samples, which were out of specifications, were not used for any further calculations.


Calculation of Quality Control Samples


The calibration curve equation was used to back calculate the concentrations of LSD and O-H-LSD in QC samples by using the corresponding peak-area ratios. The obtained value of each QC sample was checked against the acceptance criteria.


Calculation of Study Performance


Precision


Precision is determined as intra- and inter-assay reproducibility. Mean, standard deviation and percentage relative standard deviation (% CV), were calculated for each QC concentration (intra-assay) and over three validation runs (inter-assay).


Accuracy


Accuracy was calculated from the overall mean of each QC level divided by its nominal value within each assay (intra-assay) and over three validation runs (inter-assay).


Selectivity I


In drug free human plasma of at least six different specimens, there should not be interferences which are greater than 20% of the analyte peak area at the LLOQ level.


Selectivity II


The mean accuracy of at least six samples of different specimens at the LLOQ level should be within 80-120%. The accuracy of ≥67% (e.g. five out of seven) of those samples must be within 80-120%.


Carry-Over


The carry-over between samples was determined by injecting an ULOQ sample followed by two double Blank samples. The signal intensity of the analyte peak of the double Blank samples was compared with the signal intensity measured at ULOQ level. The total carry-over of the employed analysis system accounts usually for about 0.1%. In addition, the analyte peak area of the double Blank samples was compared with the peak area determined at the LLOQ level. The carry-over should be less than 20% of the LLOQ peak area, otherwise additional solvent samples have to be included for the analysis of study samples.


Recovery and Matrix Effect


Recovery of the analytes and internal standards should be consistent, precise and reproducible according to the used guidelines (FDA, 2018).


Matrix effect should be consistent over at least six lots of matrix. The % CV of the matrix effect calculated from at least 6 lots of matrix should not be greater than 15%. This determination should be done at least at low and high concentration levels (EMA, 2011).


Stability Tests


Each analyte had to be stable in human plasma for at least three freeze-thaw cycles (for repeated sample preparations) and at ambient temperature for at least eight hours (maximal duration of sample preparation). Measured samples should be stable for a second injection when the first analytical run was not valid. The analytes had to be stable in the matrix at the intended storage temperatures and study duration.


An analyte was considered stable at one of the above tests when no increase or decrease of the analyte concentration of more than 15% for the mean of at least three analyzed QC samples at low, medium and at high concentration was observed.


Description of Experiments


Validation Runs


Three valid validation runs were worked up on three different days. Each run consisted of two calibration curves (one at the beginning and one at the end of the validation run), two double Blank samples, two Blank samples, and 35 QC samples at five concentration levels. QC levels included the LLOQ (10 pg/ml), QCLOW (25 pg/ml), QCMID (100 pg/ml), QCHIGH (1000 pg/ml), and the ULOQ (10000 pg/ml) concentration level. Two double Blank samples were measured directly after the analysis of an ULOQ sample in order to determine the carry-over of the method.


Selectivity I


Double Blank and Blank human plasma from seven different subjects were worked-up and analyzed during the validation run.


Selectivity II


Seven Blank plasma samples from different subjects were spiked with the analytes at the LLOQ, processed, and analyzed. The intra-assay accuracy and precision of the samples were assessed based on two calibration curves (one measured at the beginning and one at the end of the validation run).


Recovery and Matrix Effect


For the determination of the recovery from human plasma the peak areas of worked-up QC samples (samples spiked before extraction) were compared with the peak areas of worked-up Blank plasma samples (supernatants), which were spiked with the nominal analyte concentrations of QCLOW, QCMID, QCHIGH, and QCULOQ (samples spiked after extraction). The peak area found in the spiked supernatants corresponded to 100% recovery and was compared to the corresponding peak area of spiked and processed plasma samples.


The matrix effect was determined for at least six different lots of matrix, by calculating the ratio of the peak area in the presence of matrix (measured by analyzing Blank plasma spiked with analyte after extraction), to the peak area in absence of matrix using water instead of plasma. This determination was done at QCLOW, QCMID, QCHIGH, and ULOQ.


Stability Tests


Reinjection Reproducibility


Worked-up and measured Cal and QC samples (prepared in human plasma) of a valid run were repeatedly analyzed. Reinjection was performed after overnight storage at 10° C. (autosampler) and after 1-week storage at −20° C. The run was checked according to the acceptance criteria for validation runs. The calculated mean values for QC samples were compared between the original and reinjected run.


Bench-Top Stability Tests


Seven of each LLOQ, QCLOW, QCMID, QCHIGH, and ULOQ samples in human plasma were thawed at ambient temperature and kept at this temperature for 8 hours. Afterwards, the samples were worked up and analyzed. The values of the concentrations in the “short-term” samples were compared with freshly processed QC samples. Concentrations were calculated based on two freshly prepared CAL sets measured at the beginning and the end of the validation run.


Freeze/Thaw Stability Tests


Seven of each LLOQ, QCLOW, QCMID, QCHIGH, and ULOQ sample in human plasma were stored at about −20° C. for at least 24 hours and thawed unassisted at ambient temperature. When completely thawed, the samples were refrozen for at least 12 hours under the same conditions. The freeze-thaw cycle was repeated two more times. After the third cycle the samples were worked up and analyzed. The concentrations in the frozen and thawed samples were compared with freshly processed QC samples. Concentrations were calculated based on two freshly prepared CALs measured at the beginning and the other at the end of the validation run.


Method Application

To examine the application of the developed method, LSD and O-H-LSD concentrations were quantified in plasma samples of three healthy volunteers receiving a single oral dose of 5 μg. This corresponds to a very low LSD dose, used in LSD microdosing clinical trials (Holze et al., 2021a). The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Academic Hospital of Maastricht and Maastricht University. The use of LSD in humans was authorized by the Dutch Drug Enforcement Administration. All volunteers provided written informed consent prior to study participation. To establish concentration time profiles, blood samples were collected in lithium heparin coated tubes at the following time points: 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 6 after treatment. Blood samples were centrifuged, and plasma was frozen at −20° C. until analysis.


Results of the Method Validation and Application

A sensitive LC-MS/MS method was developed and fully validated with a simple and fast sample analysis workflow.


Method Validation
Validation Runs: Method Linearity, Accuracy, and Precision

LSD


All calibration curves of the three validation runs were valid (TABLE 6). All calibration curves were linear, the correlation coefficients were ≥0.997 (FIGS. 3A-3C). During the validation runs a total of 105 QC samples were analyzed. Of these 105 QC samples 100 fulfilled the specifications for QC samples (TABLE 8).


O-H-LSD


All calibration curves of the three validation runs were valid (TABLE 7). All calibration curves were linear, the correlation coefficients were ≥0.997 for all the runs (FIGS. 3A-3C). During the validation runs a total of 105 QC samples were analyzed. Of these 105 QC samples 99 fulfilled the specifications for QC samples (TABLE 9).









TABLE 6







Accuracy and precision data of LSD calibration curves














LSD









Actual









Concentration
Value #1
Value #2
Mean
SD
CV
Accuracy
Num.


(pg/ml)
(pg/ml)
(pg/ml)
(pg/ml)
(pg/ml)
(%)
(%)
Values












Assay 1














10
9.56
    9.88
9.72
0.23
2.33
97.2
2 of 2


25
25.3
   26.6
25.9
0.92
3.54
104
2 of 2


50
54.5
   52.1
53.3
1.66
3.11
107
2 of 2


100
103
   98.1
100
3.35
3.33
100
2 of 2


250
248
 253
251
3.74
1.49
100
2 of 2


500
497
 486
491
7.77
1.58
98.3
2 of 2


1000
958
 929
943
20.4
2.16
94.3
2 of 2


2500
2520
2540
2530
10.9
0.43
101
2 of 2


5000
5030
5110
5070
52.3
1.03
101
2 of 2


10000
9700
9640
9670
44.6
0.46
96.7
2 of 2









Assay 2














10
9.73
   10.8
10.3
0.77
7.48
103
2 of 2


25
22.5
   24.8
23.6
1.64
6.95
94.5
2 of 2


50
52
   50.7
51.4
0.89
1.74
103
2 of 2


100
92.7
   93.8
93.2
0.77
0.83
93.2
2 of 2


250
235
 223
229
8.21
3.58
91.6
2 of 2


500
467
 466
466
0.97
0.21
93.3
2 of 2


1000
1080
1070
1080
4.96
0.46
108
2 of 2


2500
2550
2650
2600
67.5
2.6
104
2 of 2


5000
5150
5190
5170
29.4
0.57
103
2 of 2


10000
10900
10500 
10700
254
2.37
107
2 of 2









Assay 3














10
9.58
   10.4
9.97
0.55
5.52
99.7
2 of 2


25
25
   23.6
24.3
0.96
3.93
97.3
2 of 2


50
55.1
   59.7*
55.1
N/A
N/A
110
1 of 2


100
108
 188*
108
N/A
N/A
108
1 of 2


250
247
 259
253
8.41
3.33
101
2 of 2


500
489
 519
504
21.6
4.29
101
2 of 2


1000
1010
1010
1010
1.13
0.11
101
2 of 2


2500
2390
2460
2430
49.7
2.05
97.2
2 of 2


5000
4890
4800
4850
59.3
1.22
96.9
2 of 2


10000
9680
9850
9770
119
1.21
97.7
2 of 2





*out of the range of 85-115% (80-120% for LLOQ), not used for calculations













TABLE 7







Accuracy and precision data of O—H-LSD calibration curves














O—H-LSD









Actual









Concentration
Value #1
Value #2
Mean
SD
CV
Accuracy
Num.


(pg/ml)
(pg/ml)
(pg/ml)
(pg/ml)
(pg/ml)
(%)
(%)
Values












Assay 1














10
9.76
9.94
9.85
0.13
1.29
98.5
2 of 2


25
24.4
26
25.2
1.14
4.53
101
2 of 2


50
52.5
52.6
52.6
0.04
0.08
105
2 of 2


100
104
101
103
2.35
2.29
103
2 of 2


250
255
240
248
10.5
4.25
99.1
2 of 2


500
481
498
490
11.7
2.39
97.9
2 of 2


1000
951
952
951
0.44
0.05
95.1
2 of 2


2500
2540
2540
2540
5.18
0.2
102
2 of 2


5000
5250
4910
5080
235
4.62
102
2 of 2


10000
9880
9630
9750
180
1.85
97.5
2 of 2









Assay 2














10
10.2
10.1
10.2
0.12
1.13
102
2 of 2


25
26.9
23.8
25.3
2.16
8.53
101
2 of 2


50
48.4
46.9
47.6
1.03
2.16
95.3
2 of 2


100
94.7
86.7
90.7
5.67
6.25
90.7
2 of 2


250
242
227
234
10.9
4.64
93.8
2 of 2


500
475
455
465
14.1
3.03
93
2 of 2


1000
1080
1100
1090
19
1.74
109
2 of 2


2500
2640
2590
2620
35.2
1.35
105
2 of 2


5000
5280
5000
5140
194
3.77
103
2 of 2


10000
11100
10400
10800
501
4.64
108
2 of 2









Assay 3














10
10.4
9.97
10.2
0.29
2.82
102
2 of 2


25
25.2
23.9
24.5
0.98
3.99
98.2
2 of 2


50
48.6
46
47.3
1.84
3.88
94.6
2 of 2


100
96.9
101
98.8
2.77
2.8
98.8
2 of 2


250
253
263
258
7.11
2.76
103
2 of 2


500
521
493
507
19.7
3.88
101
2 of 2


1000
1030
1030
1030
3.23
0.31
103
2 of 2


2500
2520
2560
2540
24.3
0.96
102
2 of 2


5000
4980
5080
5030
73.7
1.46
101
2 of 2


10000
9850
9560
9710
205
2.12
97.1
2 of 2










FIGS. 3A-3C are calibration curves of LSD and O-H-LSD in human plasma. Linearity was observed over a concentration range of 10 to 10000 pg/ml with a high correlation coefficient of ≥0.997. Analyses were performed on July 18 (A), 20 (B), and 21 (C) 2020. The developed method achieves a lower limit of quantification of 10 pg/ml and presents a linear relationship between analyte signal and concentration from 10 to 10000 pg/ml.









TABLE 8







Intra- and inter-assay precision and accuracy of LSD


















Value #1
Value #2
Value #3
Value #4
Value #5
Value #6
Value #7
Mean
SD
CV
Accuracy
Num.


(pg/ml)
(pg/ml)
(pg/ml)
(pg/ml)
(pg/ml)
(pg/ml)
(pg/ml)
(pg/ml)
(%)
(%)
(%)
Values










Assay 1


















9.82
10.5
10.5
9.08
 8.65
 8.15
  9.45
9.45
0.9
9.49
94.5
7 of 7


23.3
22.3
23.9
25.1
24.3 
25.8
26.2
24.4
1.39
5.71
97.6
7 of 7


93
95.5
96
94.3
95.4 
93.2
95.3
94.7
1.2
1.27
94.7
7 of 7


932
976
937
939
952   
951  
937  
946
14.9
1.57
94.6
7 of 7


8940
9040
9000
9130
9110   
8160*  
9180   
9070
88.1
0.97
90.7
6 of 7







Assay 2


















9.87
10.5
9.9
9.49
 8.77
 9.29
10  
9.69
0.56
5.74
96.9
7 of 7


27.1
27.5
28.4
28
30.6*
23.3
 35.8*
26.9
2.04
7.6
107
5 of 7


92.2
94.6
94.6
91.4
88.8 
93.2
93.7
92.6
2.07
2.24
92.6
7 of 7


1040
1060
1070
1040
1040   
1110   
927  
1040
55.9
5.37
104
7 of 7


9150
9210
8770
9120
8820   
10300   
10300   
9390
660
7.04
93.9
7 of 7







Assay 3


















10.9
9.37
9.25
9.5
 7.62*
 9.13
 9.8
9.66
0.66
6.84
96.6
6 of 7


25.2
24.9
25.2
26.1
24.5 
25.6
25.8
25.3
0.56
2.2
101
7 of 7


101
101
101
102
96.6 
101  
107  
101
2.91
2.88
101
7 of 7


1010
1010
965
995
977   
1010   
1030   
1000
23.4
2.34
100
7 of 7


9870
9490
9780
9730
9810   
9650   
9700   
9720
122
1.26
97.2
7 of 7







Inter-assay 1-3













9.6
0.694
7.23
96
19 of 21



25.4
1.63
6.42
102
19 of 21



96.2
4.26
4.43
96.2
21 of 21



996
52.4
5.26
99.6
21 of 21



9410
466
4.96
94.1
20 of 21





*out of the range of 85-115% (80-120% for LLOQ), not used for calculations













TABLE 9





Intra- and inter-assay precision and accuracy of O—H-LSD






















O—H-LSD









Actual









Concentration
Value #1
Value #2
Value #3
Value #4
Value #5
Value #6
Value #7


(pg/ml)
(pg/ml)
(pg/ml)
(pg/ml)
(pg/ml)
(pg/ml)
(pg/ml)
(pg/ml)










Assay 1















10
(LLOQ)
9.53
  8.6
9.59
  7.96*
 9.25
11.4
  10


25
(QCLOW)
24.5
 20.5*
22.5
  24.9
25.9 
25.5
   24.6


100
(QCMID)
97.5
94  
102
  90.6
92.8 
96.9
   94.8


1000
(QCHIGH)
943
922  
890
 901
925   
886  
 901


10000
(ULOQ)
9050
8850   
9010
 9230
8970   
8410*  
 9070







Assay 2















10
(LLOQ)
10.8
11.1
10.4
  9.7
 9.94
10.9
  10


25
(QCLOW)
28
28.8
27.9
  28.7
29.6*
24.9
    35.3*


100
(QCMID)
96.2
91.1
95.7
  87.8
88   
97.7
   96.6


1000
(QCHIGH)
1080
1020   
1100
 1090
1090   
1120   
 921


10000
(ULOQ)
8920
8810   
8550
 9250
8650   
10300   
10300







Assay 3















10
(LLOQ)
9.78
11.6
10.8
  11.3
10.2 
 8.85
  12


25
(QCLOW)
25.1
27.1
25.7
  29.1*
26.9 
27.3
   25.2


100
(QCMID)
108
98.5
101
 102
104   
102  
 106


1000
(QCHIGH)
1030
1050   
1030
 1050
996   
1050   
 990


10000
(ULOQ)
10200
10100   
10100
 9850
9840   
9770   
10200







Inter-assay 1-3















10
(LLOQ)









25
(QCLOW)









100
(QCMID)









1000
(QCHIGH)









10000
(ULOQ)

















O—H-LSD








Actual








Concentration
Mean
SD
CV
Accuracy
Num.



(pg/ml)
(pg/ml)
(%)
(%)
(%)
Values












Assay 1















10
(LLOQ)
  9.74
 0.96
9.84
97.4
6 of 7



25
(QCLOW)
  24.7
 1.18
4.77
98.6
6 of 7



100
(QCMID)
  95.5
 3.62
3.79
95.5
7 of 7



1000
(QCHIGH)
 910
20.7 
2.28
91
7 of 7



10000
(ULOQ)
 9030
124   
1.37
90.3
6 of 7









Assay 2















10
(LLOQ)
  10.4
 0.54
5.2
104
7 of 7



25
(QCLOW)
  27.7
 1.59
5.74
111
5 of 7



100
(QCMID)
  93.3
 4.23
4.53
93.3
7 of 7



1000
(QCHIGH)
 1060
70.3 
6.62
106
7 of 7



10000
(ULOQ)
 9250
748   
8.08
92.6
7 of 7









Assay 3















10
(LLOQ)
  10.7
 1.11
10.4
107
7 of 7



25
(QCLOW)
  26.2
 1.01
3.85
105
6 of 7



100
(QCMID)
 103
 3.23
3.14
103
7 of 7



1000
(QCHIGH)
 1030
26.7 
2.6
103
7 of 7



10000
(ULOQ)
10000
181   
1.81
100
7 of 7









Inter-assay 1-3















10
(LLOQ)
  10.3
 0.933
9.07
103
20 of 21



25
(QCLOW)
  26.1
 1.72
6.59
104
17 of 21



100
(QCMID)
  97.2
 5.52
5.67
97.2
21 of 21



1000
(QCHIGH)
 1000
79.3 
7.93
100
21 of 21



10000
(ULOQ)
 9450
612   
6.47
94.5
20 of 21





*out of the range of 85-115% (80-120% for LLOQ), not used for calculations






Selectivity

Selectivity I


Worked-up double Blank human plasma from seven different subjects did not show significant interference (≤12.1%) with the analytes (TABLE 10). Selectivity was evaluated also in presence of the deuterated ISTDs (Blank samples). The ISTDs did cause an insignificant interference for LSD (≤15.3%) and a minor for O-H-LSD (≤25.4%). Importantly, the observed interference was consistent in plasma from different subjects. Overall, the method was selective for the investigated analytes as shown in FIG. 4.









TABLE 10





Selectivity I of LSD, and O—H-LSD in human plasma



















Plasma 1
Plasma 2
Plasma 3















% of the

% of the

% of the



Area
LLOQ
Area
LLOQ
Area
LLOQ


LSD
(counts)
(%)
(counts)
(%)
(counts)
(%)





LLOQ
7.61E+03

7.93E+03

8.10E+03



Double Blank
6.84E+02
9.00
3.87E+02
4.89
4.31E+02
5.32


Blank
6.72E+02
8.83
8.88E+02
11.2
9.07E+02
11.2















Plasma 4
Plasma 5
Plasma 6
Plasma 7

















% of the

% of the

% of the

% of the



Area
LLOQ
Area
LLOQ
Area
LLOQ
Area
LLOQ


LSD
(counts)
(%)
(counts)
(%)
(counts)
(%)
(counts)
(%)





LLOQ
8.03E+03

7.52E+03

8.03E+03

7.47E+03



Double Blank
3.66E+02
4.56
9.12E+02
12.1
4.71E+02
5.87
3.93E+02
5.26


Blank
1.01E+03
12.6
1.15E+03
15.3
8.56E+02
10.7
6.79E+02
9.09














Plasma 1
Plasma 2
Plasma 3

















% of the

% of the

% of the




Area
LLOQ
Area
LLOQ
Area
LLOQ



O—H-LSD
(counts)
(%)
(counts)
(%)
(counts)
(%)






LLOQ
4.17E+03

4.31E+03

4.23E+03




Double Blank
8.28E+01
1.98
6.15E+01
1.43
1.03E+02
2.44



Blank
1.06E+03
25.4
9.63E+02
22.4
9.36E+02
22.1















Plasma 4
Plasma 5
Plasma 6
Plasma 7

















% of the

% of the

% of the

% of the



Area
LLOQ
Area
LLOQ
Area
LLOQ
Area
LLOQ


O—H-LSD
(counts)
(%)
(counts)
(%)
(counts)
(%)
(counts)
(%)





LLOQ
4.18E+03

4.10E+03

4.16E+03

3.99E+03



Double Blank
1.18E+02
2.82
8.46E+01
2.06
1.55E+02
3.73
5.43E+01
1.36


Blank
1.02E+03
24.4
9.04E+02
22.1
8.83E+02
21.2
8.26E+02
20.7










FIGS. 4A-4D show selectivity of LSD and O-H-LSD in human plasma. An overlay of seven O-H-LSD (FIG. 4A) and LSD (FIG. 4B) double Blank (thick black line) and LLOQ (dashed line) chromatograms is shown. An overlay of seven O-H-LSD (FIG. 4C) and LSD (FIG. 4D) blank (thick black line) and LLOQ (dashed line) chromatograms is shown. The interference of human plasma matrix is negligible in comparison to the lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) signal obtained for LSD and OH-LSD.



FIGS. 4A-4D show selectivity of LSD and O-H-LSD in human plasma. An overlay of seven O-H-LSD (FIG. 4A) and LSD (FIG. 4B) double Blank (grey) and LLOQ (turquoise) chromatograms is shown. An overlay of seven O-H-LSD (FIG. 4C) and LSD (FIG. 4D) Blank (grey) and LLOQ (turquoise) chromatograms is shown. The interference of human plasma matrix is negligible in comparison to the lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) signal obtained for LSD and OH-LSD.


Selectivity II


All the samples fulfill the selectivity II specifications (accuracy: 82.2-100%, precision of plasma 1-7: ≤6.29%), which underlines that the method is selective and sensitive to analyze LSD and O-H-LSD in plasma up to a concentration of 10 pg/ml. The results for LSD and O-H-LSD are presented in TABLE 11.









TABLE 11





Selectivity II of LSD, and O—H-LSD in human plasma



















LSD
Plasma 1
Plasma 2
Plasma 3
Plasma 4





Nominal
10
10
10
10


concentration


(pg/ml)


Found at (pg/ml)
9.20
9.31
9.66
9.55


SD (pg/ml)
0.260
0.038
1.21
0.801


CV (%)
2.83
0.407
12.5
8.39


Accuracy (%)
92.0
93.1
96.6
95.5





LSD
Plasma 5
Plasma 6
Plasma 7
Plasma 1-7





Nominal
10
10
10
10


concentration


(pg/ml)


Found at (pg/ml)
8.39
9.48
8.58
9.17


SD (pg/ml)
0.662
0.241
0.540
0.493


CV (%)
7.89
2.55
6.29
5.38


Accuracy (%)
83.9
94.8
85.8
91.7





O—H-LSD
Plasma 1
Plasma 2
Plasma 3
Plasma 4





Nominal
10
10
10
10


concentration


(pg/ml)


Found at (pg/ml)
9.27
10.0
9.36
9.19


SD (pg/ml)
0.783
0.826
0.386
0.274


CV (%)
8.44
8.23
4.13
2.98


Accuracy (%)
92.7
100
93.6
91.9





O—H-LSD
Plasma 5
Plasma 6
Plasma 7
Plasma 1-7





Nominal
10
10
10
10


concentration


(pg/ml)


Found at (pg/ml)
8.22
9.09
8.62
9.11


SD (pg/ml)
0.257
0.291
0.471
0.574


CV (%)
3.12
3.20
5.47
6.29


Accuracy (%)
82.2
90.9
86.2
91.1









Carry-Over


The carry-over between two injections was ≤0.1%. Two double Blank samples were directly measured after the injection of an ULOQ sample. The mean signal intensity of second double Blank sample accounted for LSD and O-H-LSD on average for 19.6% and 14.7% of the signal at the LLOQ level, respectively (TABLE 12).









TABLE 12







Carry-over of LSD and O—H-LSD between different injections











Assay 1
Assay 2
Assay 3


















Carry-
Carry-

Carry-
Carry-

Carry-
Carry-




over
over

over
over

over
over



Area,
% LLOQ,
% ULOQ,
Area,
% LLOQ,
% ULOQ,
Area,
% LLOQ,
% ULOQ,



counts
%
%
counts
%
%
counts
%
%



















LSD


























1
LLOQ
7.52E+03


6.84E+03


8.17E+03




2
ULOQ
6.41E+06


6.21E+06


6.34E+06




3
1st Double blank
7.31E+03
97.1
0.114
6.00E+03
87.6
0.097
5.03E+03
61.6
0.079



after ULOQ











4
2nd Double blank
1.40E+03
18.6
0.022
1.30E+03
19.0
0.021
1.73E+03
21.1
0.027



after ULOQ

























O—H-LSD


























1
LLOQ
3.09E+03


3.01E+03


3.90E+03




2
ULOQ
2.77E+06


2.68E+06


2.80E+06




3
1st Double blank
1.24E+03
40.1
0.045
1.72E+03
57.2
0.064
1.68E+03
43.1
0.060



after ULOQ











4
2nd Double blank
1.07E+02
 3.46
0.004
6.31E+01
 2.09
0.002
1.50E+03
38.5
0.054



after ULOQ









Recovery


The overall recoveries for LSD and O-H-LSD are listed in TABLES 13 and 14, respectively. The recovery was consistent over the whole concentration range for all analytes and consistent between plasma originating from different subjects. A mean recovery of 98.3±1.35% and 102±3.84% was calculated for LSD and O-H-LSD, respectively. The recovery of the ISTD, LSD-d3 and O-H-LSD-d10, was similar compared to LSD and O-H-LSD.









TABLE 13





Recovery of LSD from human plasma of seven individuals


















QCLow: 25 pg/mL
QCMID: 100 pg/mL














Before
After

Before
After




exctraction
exctraction

exctraction
exctraction




Peak Area
Peak Area
Recovery
Peak Area
Peak Area
Recovery


LSD
(counts)
(counts)
(%)
(counts)
(counts)
(%)





Plasma 1
1.80E+04
2.09E+04
86.1
6.88E+04
7.02E+04
98.0


Plasma 2
1.88E+04
1.84E+04
102
6.99E+04
6.75E+04
104


Plasma 3
1.94E+04
1.91E+04
102
7.01E+04
6.79E+04
103


Plasma 4
1.83E+04
1.87E+04
97.9
6.88E+04
7.43E+04
92.6


Plasma 5
1.93E+04
1.75E+04
110
6.97E+04
7.41E+04
94.1


Plasma 6
1.83E+04
1.82E+04
101
6.85E+04
7.41E+04
92.4


Plasma 7
1.78E+04
1.84E+04
96.7
6.84E+04
7.45E+04
91.8


Plasma 1-7,
1.86E+04
1.87E+04
99.4
6.92E+04
7.18E+04
96.6


Mean








Plasma 1-7,
3.36
5.70
7.29
1.02
4.42
5.36


CV %














QCHIGH: 1000 pg/mL
ULOQ: 10000 pg/mL
LSD-d3: 100 pg/mL

















Before
After

Before
After

Before
After



LSD
exctraction
exctraction
Recovery
exctraction
exctraction
Recovery
exctraction
exctraction
Recovery





Plasma 1
6.77E+05
7.46E+05
90.8
6.89E+06
6.99E+06
98.6
2.06E+06
2.06E+06
100


Plasma 2
6.99E+05
7.02E+05
100
6.93E+06
7.03E+06
98.6
2.01E+06
2.01E+06
100


Plasma 3
7.31E+05
7.08E+05
103
6.97E+06
7.12E+06
97.9
2.05E+06
2.01E+06
102


Plasma 4
7.14E+05
7.20E+05
99.2
6.77E+06
7.03E+06
96.3
2.07E+06
2.07E+06
100


Plasma 5
7.17E+05
6.77E+05
106
6.85E+06
7.05E+06
97.2
2.05E+06
2.04E+06
100


Plasma 6
7.31E+05
7.16E+05
102
7.18E+06
7.18E+06
100
2.08E+06
2.08E+06
100


Plasma 7
6.81E+05
7.24E+05
94.1
6.72E+06
6.94E+06
96.8
2.00E+06
2.02E+06
99.2


Plasma 1-7,
7.07E+05
7.13E+05
99.2
6.90E+06
7.05E+06
97.9
2.05E+06
2.04E+06
100


Mean











Plasma 1-7,
3.13
2.98
5.29
2.18
1.13
1.30
1.44
1.48
0.858


CV %
















TABLE 14





Recovery of O—H-LSD from human plasma of seven individuals


















QCLow: 25 pg/mL
QCMID: 100 pg/mL














Before
After

Before
After




exctraction
exctraction

exctraction
exctraction




Peak Area
Peak Area
Recovery
Peak Area
Peak Area
Recovery


O—H-LSD
(counts)
(counts)
(%)
(counts)
(counts)
(%)





Plasma 1
8.01E+03
8.08E+03
99.1
3.08E+04
3.00E+04
103


Plasma 2
8.52E+03
8.31E+03
103
3.22E+04
3.13E+04
103


Plasma 3
8.61E+03
8.24E+03
104
3.11E+04
2.99E+04
104


Plasma 4
8.30E+03
8.33E+03
100
3.19E+04
3.17E+04
101


Plasma 5
8.85E+03
8.20E+03
108
3.10E+04
3.20E+04
96.9


Plasma 6
8.65E+03
7.24E+03
119
2.98E+04
2.91E+04
102


Plasma 7
9.35E+03
7.37E+03
127
3.12E+04
3.24E+04
96.3


Plasma 1-7,
8.61E+03
7.97E+03
109
3.11E+04
3.09E+04
101


Mean








Plasma 1-7,
4.91
5.79
9.74
2.50
4.03
3.05


CV %














QCHIGH: 1000 pg/mL
ULOQ: 10000 pg/mL
O—H-LSD-d10: 250 pg/mL

















Before
After

Before
After

Before
After



O—H-LSD
exctraction
exctraction
Recovery
exctraction
exctraction
Recovery
exctraction
exctraction
Recovery





Plasma 1
2.93E+05
3.07E+05
95.4
2.91E+06
2.99E+06
97.3
2.19E+05
2.19E+05
100


Plasma 2
3.16E+05
3.06E+05
103
3.09E+06
3.11E+06
99.4
2.32E+05
2.31E+05
101


Plasma 3
3.30E+05
2.98E+05
111
3.07E+06
3.06E+06
100
2.26E+05
2.20E+05
103


Plasma 4
3.09E+05
3.08E+05
100
2.91E+06
2.99E+06
97.3
2.27E+05
2.27E+05
100


Plasma 5
3.25E+05
3.05E+05
107
3.09E+06
3.05E+06
101
2.30E+05
2.33E+05
98.7


Plasma 6
3.07E+05
3.04E+05
101
3.05E+06
2.93E+06
104
2.26E+05
2.24E+05
101


Plasma 7
3.08E+05
3.21E+05
96.0
2.98E+06
3.01E+06
99.0
2.29E+05
2.29E+05
100


Plasma 1-7,
3.13E+05
3.07E+05
102
3.01E+06
3.02E+06
99.7
2.27E+05
2.26E+05
100


Mean











Plasma 1-7,
3.96
2.27
5.54
2.67
1.94
2.33
1.91
2.36
1.38


CV %









Matrix effect


The Matrix effects of LSD and LSD-d3 are illustrated in TABLE 15. The mean matrix effect of LSD was +8% and +18% for LSD-d3. The matrix effect was consistent over different plasma lots (% CV ≤5.77%) and independent from the used LSD concentration (25-10000 pg/mL: ≤5.53%).









TABLE 15





Matrix effect of LSD and LSD-d3 in human plasma of seven individuals


















QCLow: 25 pg/mL
QCMID: 100 pg/mL














After

After





extraction
Matrix
extraction
Matrix




Peak Area
effect
Peak Area
effect



LSD
(counts)
(%)
(counts)
(%)






No Matrix
1.61E+04

6.67E+04




Plasma 1
2.09E+04
130
7.02E+04
105



Plasma 2
1.84E+04
114
6.75E+04
101



Plasma 3
1.91E+04
118
6.79E+04
102



Plasma 4
1.87E+04
116
7.43E+04
111



Plasma 5
1.75E+04
108
7.41E+04
111



Plasma 6
1.82E+04
113
7.41E+04
111



Plasma 7
1.84E+04
114
7.45E+04
112



Plasma 1-7,
1.87E+04
116
7.18E+04
108



Mean







Plasma 1-7,

5.77

4.38



CV %














QCHIGH: 1000 pg/mL
ULOQ: 10000 pg/mL
LSD-d3: 100 pg/mL














After

After

After




extraction
Matrix
extraction
Matrix
extraction
Matrix



Peak Area
effect
Peak Area
effect
Peak Area
effect


LSD
(counts)
(%)
(counts)
(%)
(counts)
(%)





No Matrix
7.03E+05

6.49E+06

1.73E+06



Plasma 1
7.46E+05
106
6.99E+06
108
2.06E+06
119


Plasma 2
7.02E+05
100
7.03E+06
108
2.01E+06
116


Plasma 3
7.08E+05
101
7.12E+06
110
2.01E+06
116


Plasma 4
7.20E+05
102
7.03E+06
108
2.07E+06
119


Plasma 5
6.77E+05
96.3
7.05E+06
109
2.04E+06
118


Plasma 6
7.16E+05
102
7.18E+06
111
2.08E+06
120


Plasma 7
7.24E+05
103
6.94E+06
107
2.02E+06
116


Plasma 1-7,
7.13E+05
101
7.05E+06
109
2.04E+06
118


Mean








Plasma 1-7,

2.98

1.12

1.48


CV %









The Matrix effects of O-H-LSD and O-H-LSD-d10 are depict in TABLE 16. The mean matrix effect of LSD was −10% and −6.8% for O-H-LSD-d10. The matrix effect was consistent over different plasma lots (% CV ≤5.77%) and independent from the employed O-H-LSD concentration (CV % 25-10000 pg/mL: ≤2.65%).









TABLE 16





Matrix effect of O—H-LSD and


O—H-LSD-d10 in human plasma


of seven individuals


















QCLow: 25 pg/mL
QCMID: 100 pg/mL














After

After





extraction
Matrix
extraction
Matrix




Peak Area
effect
Peak Area
effect



O—H-LSD
(counts)
(%)
(counts)
(%)






No Matrix
8.95E+03

3.47E+04




Plasma 1
8.08E+03
90.3
3.00E+04
86.6



Plasma 2
8.31E+03
92.9
3.13E+04
90.3



Plasma 3
8.24E+03
92.1
2.99E+04
86.3



Plasma 4
8.33E+03
93.1
3.17E+04
91.3



Plasma 5
8.20E+03
91.7
3.20E+04
92.3



Plasma 6
7.24E+03
81.0
2.91E+04
84.0



Plasma 7
7.37E+03
82.4
3.24E+04
93.4



Plasma 1-7,
7.97E+03
89.1
3.09E+04
89.2



Mean







Plasma 1-7,

5.77

3.98



CV %














QCHIGH: 1000 pg/mL
ULOQ: 10000 pg/mL
O—H-LSD-d10: 250 pg/mL














After

After

After




extraction
Matrix
extraction
Matrix
extraction
Matrix



Peak Area
effect
Peak Area
effect
Peak Area
effect


O—H-LSD
(counts)
(%)
(counts)
(%)
(counts)
(%)





No Matrix
3.50E+05

3.24E+06

2.43E+05



Plasma 1
3.07E+05
87.5
2.99E+06
92.1
2.19E+05
90.3


Plasma 2
3.06E+05
87.4
3.11E+06
95.9
2.31E+05
95.2


Plasma 3
2.98E+05
85.0
3.06E+06
94.3
2.20E+05
90.8


Plasma 4
3.08E+05
87.8
2.99E+06
92.2
2.27E+05
93.5


Plasma 5
3.05E+05
87.1
3.05E+06
94.2
2.33E+05
96.1


Plasma 6
3.04E+05
86.6
2.93E+06
90.2
2.24E+05
92.2


Plasma 7
3.21E+05
91.5
3.01E+06
92.8
2.29E+05
94.5


Plasma 1-7,
3.07E+05
87.6
3.02E+06
93.1
2.26E+05
93.2


Mean








Plasma 1-7,

2.27

1.99

2.36


CV %









Stability Tests

Reinjection Reproducibility


The validation run and its reinjection were valid. This shows that a run can be re-injected after overnight storage at 10° C. in the autosampler and for at least one week at −20° C. in the case of failure of the LC-MS/MS system. The deviations of the means of the QCs of the two runs after overnight storage at 10° C. were between −0.451% to +2.3% for LSD and between −1.59% to +2.08% for O-H-LSD. The reinjected QC samples fulfilled the specification criteria for a validation run. The results are presented in TABLES 17 and 18. The deviations of the means of the QCs of the two runs after 8 days at −20° C. were between −1.85% to +1.02% for LSD and between −2.09% to +1.9% for O-H-LSD. The reinjected QC samples fulfilled the specification criteria for a validation run. The results are presented in TABLES 19 and 20.









TABLE 17







QC results for LSD from reinjection following overnight storage at 10° C. in the autosampler.













LLOQ: 10 pg/ml
QCLOW: 25 pg/ml
QCMID: 100 pg/ml
QCHIGH: 1000 pg/ml
ULOQ: 10000 pg/ml

















LSD
Found at
Accuracy
Found at
Accuracy
Found at
Accuracy
Found at
Accuracy
Found at
Accuracy



















No
[ng/ml]
[%]
[ng/ml]
[%]
[ng/ml]
[%]
[ng/ml]
[%]
[ng/ml]
[%]





















Baseline














1
9.82
98.2
23.3
  93
93
93
932
93.2
8940
89.4



2
10.5
105
22.3
  89
95.5
95.5
976
97.6
9040
90.4



3
10.5
105
23.9
  95.7
96
96
937
93.7
9000
90.1



4
9.08
90.8
25.1
100
94.3
94.3
939
93.9
9130
91.3



5
8.65
86.5
24.3
  97.3
95.4
95.4
952
95.2
9110
91.1



6
8.15
81.5
25.8
103
93.2
93.2
951
95.1
 8160*
 81.6*



7
9.45
94.5
26.2
105
95.3
95.3
937
93.7
9180
91.8


Intra-assay
Mean
9.45
94.5
24.4
  97.6
94.7
94.7
946
94.6
9070
90.7



SD
0.899

 1.4

1.2

14.9

   89.4




CV %
9.51

 5.72

1.27

1.57

    0.986




N
7

7 

7

7

  6



1 night













at 10° C.














1
10.3
103
23.2
  92.9
97
97
941
94.1
9100
91  



2
9.8
98
 20.9*
   83.5*
98.6
98.6
926
92.6
9020
90.2



3
9.17
91.8
24.4
  97.5
96.2
96.2
958
95.8
8950
89.5



4
9.04
90.4
24.4
  97.7
95.6
95.6
954
95.4
9040
90.4



5
9.42
94.2
25.2
101
97.5
97.5
946
94.6
9270
92.7



6
9.49
94.9
25.3
101
95.5
95.5
941
94.1
 8240*
 82.4*



7
9.68
96.8
23.9
  95.4
97.4
97.4
928
92.8
9230
92.3


Intra-assay
Mean
9.56
95.6
24.4
  97.6
96.8
96.8
942
94.2
9100
91  



SD
0.419

  0.795

1.13

12.3

 125




CV %
4.38

 3.26

1.17

1.3

    1.38




N
7

6 

7

7

  6













Change in
1.09
−0.0195
2.3
−0.451
0.383


concentration [%]
















TABLE 18







QC results for O—H-LSD from reinjection following overnight storage at 10° C. in the autosampler.













LLOQ: 10 pg/ml
QCLOW: 25 pg/ml
QCMID: 100 pg/ml
QCHIGH: 1000 pg/ml
ULOQ: 10000 pg/ml

















O—H-LSD
Found at
Accuracy
Found at
Accuracy
Found at
Accuracy
Found at
Accuracy
Found at
Accuracy



















No
[ng/ml]
[%]
[ng/ml]
[%]
[ng/ml]
[%]
[ng/ml]
[%]
[ng/ml]
[%]





















Baseline














1
 9.53
  95.3
24.5
  97.9
97.5
97.5
943
94.3
9050
90.5



2
 8.6
 86
 20.5*
   81.9*
94
94
922
92.2
8850
88.5



3
 9.59
  95.9
22.5
 90
102
102
890
89
9010
90.1



4
  7.96*
   79.6*
24.9
  99.8
90.6
90.6
901
90.1
9230
92.3



5
 9.25
  92.5
25.9
103
92.8
92.8
925
92.5
8970
89.7



6
11.4
114
25.5
102
96.9
96.9
886
88.6
 8410*
 84.1*



7
10  
100
24.6
  98.5
94.8
94.8
901
90.1
9070
90.7


Intra-assay
Mean
 9.74
  97.4
24.6
  98.6
95.5
95.5
910
91
9030
90.3



SD
 1.0

 1.17

3.62

20.7

 124




CV %
 9.83

 4.77

3.79

2.28

    1.37




N
6 

6 

7

7

  6



1 night













at 10° C.














1
 9.97
  99.7
22.9
  91.7
93.4
93.4
953
95.3
9030
90.3



2
10.5
105
23.3
 93
94.2
94.2
951
95.1
9110
91.1



3
10.1
101
25.2
101
101
101
896
89.6
8920
89.2



4
10.6
106
25.5
102
94.8
94.8
932
93.2
9120
91.2



5
 9.26
  92.6
26.5
106
92.3
92.3
933
93.3
8950
89.6



6
10.4
104
24.5
  98.1
92
92
919
91.9
 8330*
 83.3*



7
 8.6
 86
24.3
  97.2
89.7
89.7
917
91.7
9090
90.9


Intra-assay
Mean
 9.92
  99.2
24.6
  98.4
94
94
929
92.9
9040
90.4



SD
  0.737

 1.27

3.61

20

   84.8




CV %
 7.43

 5.16

3.84

2.16

    0.938




N
7 

7 

7

7

  6













Change in
1.86
−0.149
−1.59
2.08
0.101


concentration [%]
















TABLE 19







QC results for LSD from reinjection following 8 days storage at −20° C.













LLOQ: 10 pg/ml
QCLOW: 25 pg/ml
QCMID: 100 pg/ml
QCHIGH: 1000 pg/ml
ULOQ: 10000 pg/ml

















LSD
Found at
Accuracy
Found at
Accuracy
Found at
Accuracy
Found at
Accuracy
Found at
Accuracy



















No
[ng/ml]
[%]
[ng/ml]
[%]
[ng/ml]
[%]
[ng/ml]
[%]
[ng/ml]
[%]





















Baseline














1
10.9
109
25.2
101
101
101
1010
101
9870
98.7



2
 9.37
  93.7
24.9
99.5
101
101
1010
101
9490
95



3
 9.25
  92.5
25.2
101
101
101
965
96.5
9780
97.9



4
 9.5
 95
26.1
104
102
102
995
99.5
9730
97.3



5
  7.62*
   76.3*
24.5
97.9
96.6
96.6
977
97.7
9810
98.1



6
 9.13
  91.3
25.6
102
101
101
1010
101
9650
96.5



7
 9.8
 98
25.8
103
107
107
1030
103
9700
97.1


Intra-assay
Mean
 9.66
  96.6
25.3
101
101
101
1000
100
9720
97.2



SD
  0.662

0.557

2.91

23.4

122




CV %
 6.85

2.2

2.88

2.34

1.26




N
6 

7

7

7

7



8 days













at −20° C.














1
10.4
104
23.9
95.5
101
101
1010
101
9740
97.4



2
 9.75
  97.5
25.6
102
103
103
988
98.8
9660
96.6



3
 8.6
 86
26.6
107
102
102
989
98.9
9520
95.2



4
 9.53
  95.3
24.1
96.4
102
102
999
99.9
9290
92.9



5
10  
100
26.5
106
103
103
991
99.1
9510
95.1



6
 9.47
  94.7
23
92
99.9
99.9
1010
101
9640
96.4



7
 9.03
  90.3
25.9
103
105
105
996
99.6
9420
94.2


Intra-assay
Mean
 9.54
  95.4
25.1
100
102
102
997
99.7
9540
95.4



SD
  0.599

1.42

1.44

9.35

152.00




CV %
 6.28

5.65

1.41

0.938

1.59




N
7 

7

7

7

7













Change in
−1.26
−0.948
1.02
−0.333
−1.85


concentration [%]
















TABLE 20







QC results for O—H-LSD from reinjection following 8 days storage at −20° C.













LLOQ: 10 pg/ml
QCLOW: 25 pg/ml
QCMID: 100 pg/ml
QCHIGH: 1000 pg/ml
ULOQ: 10000 pg/ml

















O—H-LSD
Found at
Accuracy
Found at
Accuracy
Found at
Accuracy
Found at
Accuracy
Found at
Accuracy



















No
[ng/ml]
[%]
[ng/ml]
[%]
[ng/ml]
[%]
[ng/ml]
[%]
[ng/ml]
[%]





















Baseline














1
9.78
97.8
25.1
100
108
108
1030
103
10200
102



2
11.6
116
27.1
108
98.5
98.5
1050
106
10100
101



3
10.8
108
25.7
103
101
101
1030
103
10100
101



4
11.3
113
29.1*
 116*
102
102
1050
105
9850
98.5



5
10.2
102
26.9
108
104
104
996
99.6
9840
98.4



6
8.85
88.5
27.3
109
102
102
1050
105
9770
97.7



7
12
120
25.2
101
106
106
990
99
10200
102


Intra-assay
Mean
10.7
107
26.2
105
103
103
1030
103
10000
100



SD
1.11

1.01

3.23

26.7

181




CV %
10.4

3.84

3.14

2.6

1.81




N
7

6

7

7

7



8 days













at −20° C.














1
9.95
99.5
25.9
104
109
109
1010
101
9730
97.3



2
10.6
106
28.7
115
98
98
1050
105
9760
97.6



3
11.6
116
27.1
109
104
104
1010
101
9750
97.5



4
10.7
107
24.1
  96.5
109
109
993
99.3
9690
96.9



5
9.42
94.2
25.9
104
106
106
1000
100
10300
103



6
9.39
93.9
26.9
108
102
102
1020
102
9880
98.8



7
11.3
113
24.3
  97.3
107
107
1040
104
10100
101


Intra-assay
Mean
10.4
104
26.1
105
105
105
1020
102
9880
98.8



SD
0.883

1.61

3.86

22.5

211




CV %
8.46

6.16

3.68

2.21

2.13




N
7

7

7

7

7













Change in
−2.09
−0.294
1.9
−1.05
−1.27


concentration [%]









Freeze/Thaw and Short-Term Stability


LSD and O-H-LSD did not show a significant change in plasma concentration after three freeze/thaw cycles and height hours at room temperature (TABLES 21-24). Change in plasma concentration was ≤8.83% for LSD and ≤6.46% for O-H-LSD following three freeze/thaw cycles. After 8 hours storage at room temperature, the LSD and O-H-LSD change in plasma concentration was ≤3.81% and ≤4.52%, respectively.









TABLE 21







LSD stability following three freeze-thaw cycles













LLOQ: 10 pg/ml
QCLOW: 25 pg/ml
QCMID: 100 pg/ml
QCHIGH: 1000 pg/ml
ULOQ: 10000 pg/ml

















LSD
Found at
Accuracy
Found at
Accuracy
Found at
Accuracy
Found at
Accuracy
Found at
Accuracy



















No
[ng/ml]
[%]
[ng/ml]
[%]
[ng/ml]
[%]
[ng/ml]
[%]
[ng/ml]
[%]





















Baseline














1
9.57
95.7
23.3
93.4
94.3
94.3
964
96.4
9490
94.9



2
8.32
83.2
22.6
90.5
97.4
97.4
943
94.3
10000
100



3
9.66
96.6
23.5
94
101
101
969
96.9
9470
94.7



4













5













6













7












Intra-assay
Mean
9.18
91.8
23.1
92.6
97.5
97.5
959
95.9
9660
96.6



SD
 0.749

0.471

3.23

13.6

308




CV %
8.16

2.03

3.31

1.42

3.19




N
3  

3

3

3

3



3 F/T cycles














1
8.19
81.9
23.8
95.2
99.2
99.2
964
96.4
9780
97.8



2
7.5*
 75.0*
25.5
102
97.9
97.9
962
96.2
9430
94.3



3
8.17
81.7
25.2
101
99.5
99.5
969
96.9
9400
94



4
8.47
84.7
22.9
91.5
99.6
99.6
967
96.7
9640
96.4



5
 7.97*
 79.8*
24.7
98.8
94.9
94.9
946
94.6
9920
99.2



6
8.18
81.8
23.4
93.6
98
98
962
96.2
9300
93



7
8.85
88.5
23.7
94.9
100
100
983
98.3
9520
95.2


Intra-assay
Mean
8.37
83.7
24.2
96.7
98.5
98.5
965
96.5
9570
95.7



SD
 0.295

0.968

1.78

10.9

221.00




CV %
3.53

4

1.81

1.13

2.31




N
5  

7

7

7

7













Change in
−8.83
4.44
1.03
0.647
−0.9


concentration [%]
















TABLE 22







O—H-LSD stability following three freeze-thaw cycles













LLOQ: 10 pg/ml
QCLOW: 25 pg/ml
QCMID: 100 pg/ml
QCHIGH: 1000 pg/ml
ULOQ: 10000 pg/ml

















O—H-LSD
Found at
Accuracy
Found at
Accuracy
Found at
Accuracy
Found at
Accuracy
Found at
Accuracy



















No
[ng/ml]
[%]
[ng/ml]
[%]
[ng/ml]
[%]
[ng/ml]
[%]
[ng/ml]
[%]





















Baseline














1
 8.89
  88.9
22.9
91.5
98.6
98.6
962
96.2
9230
92.3



2
 8.94
  89.4
25
99.8
91.4
91.4
959
95.9
9970
99.7



3
 9.5
 95
23.7
94.7
95.7
95.7
977
97.7
9420
94.2



4













5













6













7












Intra-assay
Mean
 9.11
  91.1
23.8
95.3
95.2
95.2
966
96.6
9540
95.4



SD
  0.339

1.04

3.62

9.97

386




CV %
 3.72

4.38

3.8

1.03

4.04




N
3 

3

3

3

3



3 F/T cycles














1
 9.59
  95.9
27.3
109
95.4
95.4
950
95
9290
92.9



2
 9.71
  97.1
24.2
96.6
102
102
931
93.1
9260
92.6



3
 8.17
  81.7
22.9
91.4
98.9
98.9
975
97.5
9620
96.2



4
 9.52
  95.2
25.3
101
100
100
962
96.2
9600
96



5
10.8
108
24.4
97.5
102
102
995
99.5
9480
94.8



6
10.4
104
22.3
89.3
94.8
94.8
977
97.7
9440
94.4



7
  7.39*
   73.9*
23.2
92.9
97.3
97.3
981
98.1
9720
97.2


Intra-assay
Mean
 9.7
 97
24.2
96.9
98.7
98.7
967
96.7
9490
94.9



SD
  0.908

1.68

3.05

21.4

173.00




CV %
 9.36

6.95

3.08

2.21

1.83




N
6 

7

7

7

7













Change in
6.46
1.57
3.7
0.123
−0.589


concentration [%]
















TABLE 23







LSD stability following 8 hours storage at room temperature













LLOQ: 10 pg/ml
QCLOW: 25 pg/ml
QCMID: 100 pg/ml
QCHIGH: 1000 pg/ml
QCULOQ: 10000 pg/ml

















LSD
Found at
Accuracy
Found at
Accuracy
Found at
Accuracy
Found at
Accuracy
Found at
Accuracy



















No
[ng/ml]
[%]
[ng/ml]
[%]
[ng/ml]
[%]
[ng/ml]
[%]
[ng/ml]
[%]





















Baseline














1
9.57
95.7 
23.3
93.4
94.3
94.3
964
96.4
9490
94.9



2
8.32
83.2 
22.6
90.5
97.4
97.4
943
94.3
10000
100



3
9.66
96.6 
23.5
94
101
101
969
96.9
9470
94.7



4













5













6













7












Intra-assay
Mean
9.18
91.8 
23.1
92.6
97.5
97.5
959
95.9
9660
96.6



SD
 0.749

0.471

3.23

13.6

308




CV %
8.16

2.03

3.31

1.42

3.19




N
3  

3

3

3

3



8 h at RT














1
9.16
91.6 
24
96
95.9
95.9
982
98.2
9460
94.7



2
8.56
85.6 
23.2
92.9
95.8
95.8
983
98.3
9340
93.4



3
 7.47*
74.7*
23.6
94.5
94.2
94.2
972
97.2
9460
94.6



4
8.3 
83.10
21.9
87.6
91.1
91.1
968
96.8
9690
96.9



5
9.2 
92  
23.6
94.4
99.2
99.2
962
96.2
9540
95.4



6
8.61
86.1 
23.3
93.3
99.7
99.7
977
97.7
9500
95



7
9.17
91.7 
22.5
90
95.9
95.9
1000
100
9430
94.3


Intra-assay
Mean
8.83
88.3 
23.2
92.7
96
96
978
97.8
9490
94.9



SD
 0.391

0.728

2.92

12.4

110.00




CV %
4.42

3.14

3.04

1.27

1.16




N
6  

7

7

7

7













Change in
3.81
0.0885
−1.51
1.99
−1.74


concentration [%]
















TABLE 24







O—H-LSD stability following 8 hours storage at room temperature













LLOQ: 10 pg/ml
QCLOW: 25 pg/ml
QCMID: 100 pg/ml
QCHIGH: 1000 pg/ml
ULOQ: 10000 pg/ml

















O—H-LSD
Found at
Accuracy
Found at
Accuracy
Found at
Accuracy
Found at
Accuracy
Found at
Accuracy



















No
[ng/ml]
[%]
[ng/ml]
[%]
[ng/ml]
[%]
[ng/ml]
[%]
[ng/ml]
[%]





















Baseline














1
8.89
88.9
22.9
91.5
98.6
98.6
962
96.2
9230
92.3



2
8.94
89.4
25
99.8
91.4
91.4
959
95.9
9970
99.7



3
9.5 
95  
23.7
94.7
95.7
95.7
977
97.7
9420
94.2



4













5













6













7












Intra-assay
Mean
9.11
91.1
23.8
95.3
95.2
95.2
966
96.6
9540
95.4



SD
 0.339

1.04

3.62

9.97

386




CV %
3.72

4.38

3.8

1.03

4.04




N
3  

3

3

3

3



8 h at RT














1
9.04
90.4
22.3
89.2
97.1
97.1
960
96
9020
90.2



2
9.43
94.3
23.3
93.3
91.5
91.5
1000
100
9300
93



3
 6.38*
 63.8*
24.4
97.6
95.2
95.2
918
91.8
9070
90.7



4
 7.75*
 77.5*
25.6
102
98.3
98.3
946
94.6
8820
88.2



5
8.31
83.1
25.9
103
94.6
94.6
936
93.6
9320
93.2



6
10.1 
101  
24.3
97.1
99.6
99.6
958
95.8
9150
91.5



7
8.79
87.9
23
91.9
94.5
94.5
939
93.9
9110
91.1


Intra-assay
Mean
9.13
91.2
24.1
96.4
95.8
95.8
951
95.1
9110
91.1



SD
 0.662

1.32

2.72

27

170.00




CV %
7.25

5.47

2.84

2.84

1.86




N
5  

7

7

7

7













Change in
0.176
1.1
0.652
−1.51
−4.52


concentration [%]









Clinical Application of the LC-MS/MS Method

The application of the method was assessed by analyzing the PK of LSD and O-H-LSD in three healthy volunteers treated with an oral dose of 5 μg LSD base (FIG. 5). An oral dose of 5 μg LSD base in ethanol (Holze et al., 2021) was administered to three healthy volunteers. Plasma concentrations of LSD and O-H-LSD were quantified before and up to six hours post-treatment. FIG. 5 shows the concentration-time profile of LSD and O-H-LSD. Mean values and the standard deviations are illustrated.


The maximal plasma level of LSD and O-H-LSD was on average 178 pg/ml (SD: 30.6 pg/ml) and 10.4 pg/ml (SD: 2.59 pg/ml), respectively. LSD reached Tmax approximately after 1 hour post-treatment, whereas O-H-LSD peaked after 3 hours. The LSD concentrations measured after a dose of only 5 μg were approximately 7 to 18 times higher than the methods limit of quantification. Thus, the PK of LSD could straightforwardly be established also for very low so-called microdoses (Kuypers et al., 2019). In the case of O-H-LSD, a larger amount of plasma sample was required to determine the plasma concentration time profile after a dose of 5 μg. Three times more plasma was utilized (150 instead of 50 μl), which was extracted as outlined above using however three-fold more acetonitrile for the extraction. Sensitivity was increased by evaporating the extract and reconstituting the residue in a mixture of 150 μl of mobile phase A and mobile phase B (9/1 v/v). This example shows that the sensitivity of the method can simply be improved by using a larger amount of sample. In future, it will also be considered to inject a larger amount of extract, which is in a first step retained and concentrated on a trapping column. In a second step, the direction of the flow is inverted and so that the sample can be loaded and eluted on the analytical column. This column switching procedure, will increase the sensitivity in the event that the sample can be retained on the trap column. Importantly, the time-consuming solvent evaporation step can thereby be avoided.


Overall, the method application example demonstrates that the method is suitable for quantification of the clinical samples using LSD microdoses. Moreover, the method can readily be adapted if the sensitivity of the analysis has to be improved.


CONCLUSION

Compared to other bioanalytical methods that measure LSD in human plasma, the method described herein required only small amounts of sample and featured a straightforward extraction procedure, which facilitated an efficient analysis. The extraction protocol resulted in an almost complete analyte recovery. Almost no matrix effects were observed among various plasma batches, moreover the matrix did not interfere with the analysis of LSD or O-H-LSD. The quantification of both analytes was accurate and precise within the chosen calibration range and compatible with observed levels in humans dosed with LSD. Overall, the current bioanalytical method is an important tool to further progress the development of LSD as a therapeutic agent.


Throughout this application, various publications, including if available United States patents, are referenced by author and year and patents by number. Full citations for the publications are listed below. The disclosures of these publications and patents in their entireties are hereby incorporated by reference into this application in order to more fully describe the state of the art to which this invention pertains.


The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology, which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation.


Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.


REFERENCES



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Claims
  • 1. A method of treating and monitoring an individual taking LSD, including the steps of: administering a microdose of LSD, a prodrug of LSD, or an analog of LSD to the individual;monitoring the individual by obtaining a sample from an individual of about 300 μL of plasma and measuring and identifying analytes in the sample by performing a LC-MS/MS analysis by aliquoting about 50 μL of the sample and mixing with internal standard working solution of acetonitrile, precipitating plasma proteins in the sample with acetonitrile, centrifuging the aliquot, injecting the aliquot into an LC-MS/MS system, diluting the injected aliquot online via a T-union installed in front of a pH resistant analytical column, and detecting LSD and O-H-LSD by multiple reaction monitoring in positive and negative electrospray ionization, wherein analysis of the sample can be run in about 4 minutes, and wherein analysis can quantify 0.5 pg LSD; andadjusting the microdose based on the amount of LSD measured and identified in the LC-MS/MS analysis.
  • 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the individual is not responding to the microdose.
  • 3. The method of claim 1, further including the step of identifying if the individual is a slow or rapid metabolizer.
  • 4. The method of claim 1, further including the step of diagnosing an intoxication.
  • 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the microdose is 5 to 200 μg.
Non-Patent Literature Citations (56)
Entry
Routledge, Philip et al. (2013). “Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM).” Immunoassay Handbook (4th Edition)—9.22.1.2 Nonisotopic Immunoassay. Elsevier. Retrieved from <https://app.knovel.com/hotlink/pdf/id:kt00BK7OY1/immunoassay-handbook/nonisotopic-immunoassay>. (Year: 2013).
Bershad, Anya K., et al. “Preliminary report on the effects of a low dose of LSD on resting-state amygdala functional connectivity.” Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging 5.4 (2020): 461-467. (Year: 2020).
Luethi, Dino, et al. “Cytochrome P450 enzymes contribute to the metabolism of LSD to nor-LSD and 2-oxo-3-hydroxy-LSD: Implications for clinical LSD use.” Biochemical pharmacology 164 (2019): 129-138. (Year: 2019).
Berg T, Jørgenrud B, & Strand DH (2013). Determination of buprenorphine, fentanyl and LSD in whole blood by UPLC-MS-MS. Journal of Analytical Toxicology 37: 159-165.
Bershad AK, Schepers ST, Bremmer MP, Lee R, & de Wit H (2019). Acute Subjective and Behavioral Effects of Microdoses of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide in Healthy Human Volunteers. Biological Psychiatry 86: 792-800.
Bogusz MJ, Maier RD, Kruger KD, & Kohls U (1998). Determination of common drugs of abuse in body fluids using one isolation procedure and liquid chromatography-atmospheric-pressure chemical-ionization mass spectrometry. Journal of Analytical Toxicology 22: 549-558.
Burnley BT, & George S (2003). The development and application of a gas chromatography-mass spectrometric (GC-MS) assay to determine the presence of 2-oxo-3-hydroxy-LSD in urine. Journal of Analytical Toxicology 27: 249-252.
Cai J, & Henion J (1996). On-line immunoaffinity extraction-coupled column capillary liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry: Trace analysis of LSD analogs and metabolites in human urine. Analytical Chemistry 68: 72-78.
Canezin J, Cailleux A, Turcant A, Le Bouil A, Harry P, & Allain P (2001). Determination of LSD and its metabolites in human biological fluids by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrospray tandem mass spectrometry. Journal of Chromatography B: Biomedical Sciences and Applications 765: 15-27.
Caspar AT, Kollas AB, Maurer HH, & Meyer MR (2018). Development of a quantitative approach in blood plasma for low-dosed hallucinogens and opioids using LC-high resolution mass spectrometry. Talanta 176: 635-645.
Chung A, Hudson J, & McKay G (2009). Validated ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for analyzing LSD, iso-LSD, nor-LSD, and O-H-LSD in blood and urine. Journal of Analytical Toxicology 33: 253-259.
Cui M, McCooeye MA, Fraser C, & Mester Z (2005). Quantitation of lysergic acid diethylamide in urine using atmospheric pressure matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization ion trap mass spectrometry. Analytical Chemistry 76: 7143-7148.
Dolder PC, Liechti ME, & Rentsch KM (2014). Development and validation of a rapid turboflow LC-MS/MS method for the quantification of LSD and 2-oxo-3-hydroxy LSD in serum and urine samples of emergency toxicological cases. Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry 407: 1577-1584.
Dolder PC, Liechti ME, & Rentsch KM (2018). Development and validation of an LC-MS/MS method to quantify lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), iso-LSD, 2-oxo-3-hydroxy-LSD, and nor-LSD and identify novel metabolites in plasma samples in a controlled clinical trial. Journal of Clinical Laboratory Analysis 32: 12-15.
Dolder PC, Schmid Y, Haschke M, Rentsch KM, & Liechti ME (2015). Pharmacokinetics and concentration-effect relationship of oral LSD in humans. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 19: pyv072.
Dolder PC, Schmid Y, Steuer AE, Kraemer T, Rentsch KM, Hammann F, & Liechti ME (2017). Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of lysergic acid diethylamide in healthy subjects. Clinical Pharmacokinetics 56: 1219-1230.
EMA (2011). Guideline on bioanalytical method validation. European Medicines Agency (https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/bioanalytical-method-validation).
Family N, Maillet EL, Williams LTJ, Krediet E, Carhart-Harris RL, Williams TM, Nichols CD, Goble DJ, & Raz S (2020). Safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of low dose lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) in healthy older volunteers. Psychopharmacology 237: 841-853.
Favretto D, Frison G, Maietti S, & Ferrara SD (2007). LC-ESI-MS/MS on an ion trap for the determination of LSD, iso-LSD, nor-LSD and 2-oxo-3-hydroxy-LSD in blood, urine and vitreous humor. International Journal of Legal Medicine 121: 259-265.
FDA (2018). Bioanalytical Method Validation Guidance for Industry. U.S. Food and drug administration(https://www.fda.gov/regulatory-information/search-fda-guidance-documents/bioanalytical-method-validation-guidance-industry).
Fisichella M, Odoardi S, & Strano-Rossi S (2015). High-throughput dispersive liquid/liquid microextraction (DLLME) method for the rapid determination of drugs of abuse, benzodiazepines and other psychotropic medications in blood samples by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and app. Microchemical Journal 123: 33-41.
Francom P, Andrenyak D, Lim HK, Bridges RR, Jones RT, & Foltz RL (1988). Determination of lsd in urine by capillary column gas chromatography and electron impact mass spectrometry. Journal of Analytical Toxicology 12: 1-8.
Gasser P, Holstein D, Michel Y, Doblin R, Yazar-Klosinski B, Passie T, & Brenneisen R (2014). Safety and efficacy of lysergic acid diethylamide-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with life-threatening diseases. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease 202: 513-520.
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Related Publications (1)
Number Date Country
20220128580 A1 Apr 2022 US
Provisional Applications (1)
Number Date Country
63105266 Oct 2020 US