Blood Biomarkers To Detect Brain Injury

6 specific small molecules in a groups of athlete who had concussions were discovered by researchers from the Universities of Rochester, Georgetown, California, and Irvine, combined presence accurately predicted whether the patient had sustained mild traumatic brain injury or not, suggesting that these molecules and possibly others may be relevant clinical mTBI biomarkers. Results were replicated when the 6 biomarkers were tested in separate groups of individuals with and without mTBIs.

Researchers recommend additional investigations, as they were limitations to their study, to investigate these and other possible biomarkers in blood which will further clarify their utility. Tests such as these are important to help determine whether or not a patient has had a concussion, to help define whether a person is safe to return to regular activities such as work.

Biomarkers of a mild traumatic brain injury is currently not available to healthcare providers. Diagnostic tests such as this may revolutionize management of military and civilian mTBIs and strategies to avoid complications.

It is estimated that 40 million individuals have mTBIs worldwide, this is a gross underestimate of those who actually sustain such an injury. Current diagnostics need to be improved, practitioners need a more reliable, minimally invasive, objective diagnostic test to determine probability of mTBI in a timely manner.

Falls represent the most common cause of mTBIs among civilians. Sports produces 3.8 million documented mTBIs yearly. MTBIs have been elevated in the past 2 decades by warfare practices, with approximately 82% of all military TBI falling into this category.