Development and validation of a large, modular test meal with liquid and solid components for assessment of gastric motor and sensory function by non‐invasive imaging

Background Current investigations of stomach function are based on small test meals that do not reliably induce symptoms and analysis techniques that rarely detect clinically relevant dysfunction. This study introduces the large ‘Nottingham Test Meal’ (NTM) for assessment of gastric motor and sensory function by non‐invasive imaging. Methods NTM comprises 400 mL liquid nutrient (0.75 kcal/mL) and 12 solid agar‐beads (0 kcal) with known breaking strength. Gastric fullness and dyspeptic sensations were documented by 100 mm visual analogue scale (VAS). Gastric emptying (GE) were measured in 24 healthy volunteers (HVs) by gastric scintigraphy (GS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The contribution of secretion to gastric volume was assessed. Parameters that describe GE were calculated from validated models. Inter‐observer agreement and reproducibility were assessed. Key Results NTM produced moderate fullness (VAS ≥30) but no more than mild dyspeptic symptoms (VAS