EVAL OF A NOVEL DIAG TEST TO DETECT B12 DEFICIENCY

这个子项目是利用由NIH/NCRR资助的中心拨款提供的资源的许多研究子项目之一。子项目和调查员(PI)可能从另一个NIH来源获得了主要资金，因此可能会出现在其他CRISE条目中。列出的机构是针对中心的，而不一定是针对调查员的机构。维生素B12缺乏症很常见，但诊断不足的情况主要见于老年人。这种缺陷主要是由于衰老过程中胃肠道的变化和某些药物引起的。如果不进行治疗，这种情况可能会导致身体和精神损伤，从而显著降低生活质量并增加医疗保健支出。目前诊断维生素B12缺乏症的方法缺乏特异性，参考范围界定不明确，而且价格昂贵。一种新的呼气测试已经开发出来，其原理是丙酸的新陈代谢受到维生素B12供应的限制。在第一阶段，我们计划证明呼气测试区分维生素B12充足和缺乏的个体，并且呼气测试随着治疗的变化而改变。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。扭转神经系统并发症的机会很小。治疗的任何延误都可能导致认知功能很少或根本没有改善。为医生提供诊断维生素B12缺乏症的准确、低成本的工具不仅将改善患者的护理，而且具有成本效益，因为一旦发现，这种情况可以成功治疗。

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.