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Electroretinogram in withdrawn cocaine-dependent subjects

Relationship to cue-elicited craving

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 January 2018

David A. Smelson*
Affiliation:
Department of Veterans Affairs, New Jersey Healthcare System, Lyon Campus, New Jersey
Monique Roy
Affiliation:
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School
Alec Roy
Affiliation:
Department of Veterans Affairs, New Jersey Healthcare System, East Orange Campus, New Jersey
Sandra Santana
Affiliation:
Department of Veterans Affairs, New Jersey Healthcare System, Lyon Campus, New Jersey
*
D. A. Smelson, Department of Veterans Affairs, New Jersey Healthcare System, Mental Health and Behavioural Sciences (Building 143). 151 Knollcroft Road, Lyons, NJ 07939, USA

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.

Method

A new series of 14 recently withdrawn subjects who were cocaine-dependent completed a cocaine craving questionnaire at baseline, and again following exposure to laboratory cues; an ERG was also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

Type
Preliminary Report
Copyright
Copyright © 1998 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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