Development of viable markers of alcohol consumption is essential for early diagnosis and treatment of alcoholics and can potentially reduce the health costs. Plasma carbohydrate-deficient transferrin is considered a viable marker for alcohol intake but lately, its validity has been questioned. The applicants have demonstrated the validity and feasibility of the use of sialic acid deficiency of plasma Apolipoprotein J(SDJ) as a biological marker for alcohol consumption in rats. The measurement of plasma SDJ seems to be specific, sensitive, simple, and cost-effective. In Phase II, they will extend studies on the validity of the use of plasma SDJ in human alcoholics, and design, optimize and validate a diagnostic kit that can be screened for its commercialization. Thus, the Specific Aims include: 1. Validity of plasma SDJ as a viable marker for alcohol consumption in human alcoholics, II. Stability of SDJ, III. Persistence of plasma SDJ in alcoholic subjects undergoing detoxification, IV. Design, development, optimization and validation of a commercially viable diagnostic kit, V. Comparison of SDJ and CDT methods, VI. Cost and Time Analysis of the diagnostic kit. VII. Association Analysis of SDJ to alcoholism in random human sampling. VIII. Production and Scale Up for Manufacturing, IX. Production Validation Runs.

Proposed Commercial Applications

NOT AVAILABLE

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Type
Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Grants - Phase II (R42)
Project #
3R42AA011038-02S1
Application #
6033813
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG3 (01))
Program Officer
Foudin, Laurie L
Project Start
1996-09-09
Project End
2000-08-31
Budget Start
1999-04-01
Budget End
1999-08-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
1999
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Bioprobes, Inc.
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Gaithersburg
State
MD
Country
United States
Zip Code
20879