title: Electroretinogram and cue-elicited craving in withdrawn cocaine-dependent patients: a replication.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We previously reported that cocaine-dependent patients with a reduced blue cone b wave electroretinogram (ERG) responses had significantly more cue-elicited craving.
  
  
  METHODS
  A new series of 21 recently withdrawn cocaine-dependent patients completed a craving questionnaire at baseline and following cue exposure; an ERG was also performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cocaine-dependent patients with a blunted ERG blue cone response (<0.5 microV) showed greater increases in craving following cue exposure. When subjects were included from our preliminary study (N = 14), these differences became highly significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with a reduced ERG response may represent a subgroup more vulnerable to cocaine craving and future relapse.
authors: Department of Veterans Affairs, New Jersey Health Care System, Lyons 07939-5000, USA.
authors: D A
authors: DA
authors: Smelson
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Roy
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Roy
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Tershakovec
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Engelhart
authors: M F
authors: MF
authors: Losonczy
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003042:Cocaine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003463:Cues; D004596:Electroretinography / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D003042:Cocaine