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Effects Of Craving And Drd4 Vntr Genotype On The Relative Value Of Alcohol: An Initial Human Laboratory Study, James Mackillop, David P. Menges, John E. Mcgeary, Stephen A. Lisman

Psychology Faculty Scholarship

Background Craving for alcohol is a highly controversial subjective construct and may be clarified by Loewenstein's visceral theory, which emphasizes craving's behavioral effects on the relative value of alcohol. Based on the visceral theory, this studyexamined the effects of a craving induction on the relative value of alcohol as measured by a behavioral choice task. In addition, based on previous evidence of its role in the expression of craving, the influence of DRD4 VNTR genotype (DRD4-L vs. DRD4-S) was also examined. Methods Thirty-five heavy drinkers (54% male; 31% DRD4-L) were randomly assigned to receive either a cravinginduction (exposure to personally …