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Electroretinogram in withdrawn cocaine-dependent subjects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 ,
Monique Roy ,
Alec Roy  and
Sandra Santana
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
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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A new series of 14 recently withdrawn subjects who were cocaine-dependent completed a cocaine craving questionnaire at baseline, and again following exposure to laboratory cues; an ERG was also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
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 172 , Issue 6 , June 1998 , pp. 537 - 539
Copyright
Copyright © 1998 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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