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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 Methods: A new series of 21 recently withdrawn cocaine-dependent patients completed a craving questionnaire at baseline and following cue exposure; an ERG was also performed.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: Cocainedependent patients with a blunted ERG blue cone response (<0.5 μV) 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.