title: Electroretinogram in withdrawn cocaine-dependent subjects. Relationship to cue-elicited craving.
abstract: 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  A new series of 14 recently withdrawn subjects who were cocaine-dependent completed a cocaine craving questionnaire at baseline, and again following exposure to laboratory cues; an ERG was also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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterans Affairs, New Jersey Healthcare System, Lyons 07939, USA.
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Smelson
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Roy
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Roy
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Santana
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D004298:Dopamine