Electroretinogram in withdrawn cocaine-dependent subjects. Relationship to cue-elicited craving.
BACKGROUND
We have previously reported that people who are cocaine-dependent have reduced blue cone b-wave electroretinogram (ERG) responses. In this preliminary study, we examined the relationship between blue cone ERG amplitudes and craving response to cocaine cues.


METHODS
A new series of 14 recently withdrawn subjects who were cocaine-dependent completed a cocaine craving questionnaire at baseline, and again following exposure to laboratory cues; an ERG was also performed.


RESULTS
Cocaine-dependent subjects with a blunted ERG blue cone response (< 0.5 microV) showed significantly greater increases in craving following cue-exposure than subjects without the blunted ERG blue cone response.


CONCLUSIONS
Subjects with a blunted ERG response may represent a subgroup more vulnerable to cocaine craving and relapse.
Smelson
D A
DA
Department of Veterans Affairs, New Jersey Healthcare System, Lyons 07939, USA.
Roy
M
M
Roy
A
A
Santana
S
S
D000328:Adult; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004298:Dopamine / Q000032:analysis; D004596:Electroretinography / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012008:Recurrence; D017948:Retinal Rod Photoreceptor Cells; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology*
D004298:Dopamine