EVAL OF A NOVEL DIAG TEST TO DETECT B12 DEFICIENCY

该子项目是利用NIH/NCRR资助的中心赠款提供的资源的许多研究子项目之一。子项目和研究者（PI）可能从另一个NIH来源获得主要资金，因此可以在其他CRISP条目中表示。所列机构为中心，不一定是研究者所在机构。维生素B12缺乏症是一种常见的，但主要在老年人中发现的诊断条件。这种缺陷主要是由于在胃肠道的变化，发生在老化和某些药物。如果不治疗，这种情况可能导致身体和精神损害，大大降低生活质量，增加医疗保健支出。 目前诊断维生素B12缺乏症的方法缺乏特异性，参考范围定义不明确，而且价格昂贵。一种新的呼吸测试已经开发的基础上的原则，丙酸代谢是有限的维生素B12的可用性。在第一阶段，我们计划证明呼吸测试区分维生素B12不足的人和足够的，呼吸测试的变化与治疗。 早期筛查和及时诊断维生素B12缺乏症将防止毁灭性的并发症。存在一个小的机会窗口来逆转神经系统并发症。治疗的任何延迟都可能导致认知功能的改善很少或没有改善。为医生提供一种准确、低成本的诊断维生素B12缺乏症的工具，不仅可以改善患者的护理，而且具有成本效益，因为一旦确诊，这种疾病就可以成功治疗。

This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Vitamin B12 deficiency is a common, but under diagnosed condition found primarily in the elderly. This deficiency mainly results from changes in the gastrointestinal tract that take place during aging and from certain medications. Untreated, this condition can lead to physical and mental impairment that significantly reduces the quality of life and increases health care expenditures. Current approaches to diagnose vitamin B12 deficiency lack specificity, have poorly defined reference ranges and are expensive. A new breath test has been developed based on the principle that the metabolism of propionate is limited by the availability of vitamin B12. During phase I, we plan to demonstrate that the breath test distinguishes adequate from deficient vitamin B12 individuals and that the breath test changes with treatment. Early screening and prompt diagnosis of vitamin B12 deficiency will prevent devastating complications. A small window of opportunity exists to reverse neurological complications. Any delay in instituting treatment may result in little or no improvement in cognitive function. Providing physicians with an accurate, low cost tool for diagnosing vitamin B12 deficiency will not only improve patient care but is cost-effective because once identified, this condition can be successfully treated.