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Preference for higher sucrose concentrations in cocaine abusing-dependent patients
David S Janowsky1, Olgierd Pucilowski, Michael Buyinza
1Department of Psychiatry, CB# 7175, Medical Research Building A, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7175, USA. david_janowsky@med.unc.edu
Journal of Psychiatric Research
|December 17, 2002
Summary
Patients with cocaine use disorder exhibit a preference for high concentrations of sweet solutions, similar to alcoholics. This finding suggests a potential link between substance use disorders and sweet taste preferences.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Addiction Research
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Animal and human studies link preference for high-sugar solutions to alcohol preference.
- Previous research indicates alcoholics prefer high-concentration sweet solutions.
- This study investigated if cocaine use disorder patients share this sweet preference.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if patients with cocaine use disorder exhibit a preference for high concentrations of sweet solutions.
- To compare the sweet preferences of cocaine use disorder patients with a control group.
Main Methods:
- Sixteen patients with cocaine abuse/dependency and 16 inpatient controls with affective disorders participated.
- Participants rated aqueous sucrose solutions ranging from 0.05 to 0.83 M for preference and sweetness.
- Preference ratings for increasing sucrose concentrations were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Cocaine abusing/dependent patients significantly preferred the highest sucrose concentration (0.83 M) more often than controls.
- This preference was statistically significant.
Conclusions:
- Cocaine use disorder patients, similar to alcoholics, show a preference for high sucrose concentrations.
- This shared preference contrasts with the preferences of inpatient controls.
- Findings suggest a potential commonality in reward pathway dysregulation across different substance use disorders.