title: Abnormal electroretinogram in cocaine-dependent patients. Relationship to craving.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The retina contains high concentrations of dopamine. We previously reported that recently withdrawn cocaine-dependent patients had significantly reduced blue cone b wave amplitude responses on the electroretinogram (ERG). In this study we wished to examine if there was a relationship between cocaine craving and reduced blue cone b wave ERG responses.
  
  
  METHODS
  A series of 14 recently withdrawn cocaine-dependent patients completed a 45-item cocaine craving questionnaire shortly before the ERG.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cocaine dependent patients who had a reduced ( < 0.5 microvolts) blue cone b wave ERG response had significantly higher cocaine craving scores than patients without a reduced blue cone ERG response. There was also a significant negative correlation between blue cone b wave amplitude responses and scores on the cocaine craving questionnaire.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A reduced blue cone b wave ERG response may identify recently withdrawn cocaine-dependent patients with biological dysregulation and increased cocaine craving.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Medical School, Newark 07103, USA.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Roy
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Smelson
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Roy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001143:Arousal / Q000187:drug effects; D003042:Cocaine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004596:Electroretinography / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D012016:Reference Values; D017949:Retinal Cone Photoreceptor Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*
chemical_list: D003042:Cocaine