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New blood test could soon and concurrently determine concussions
New research suggests that doctors will be able to use a simple blood test to determine if people are suffering from a concussion. Such skull trauma is associated with a particular protein. This can be detected in the blood for a week after the injury.
We'll probably find it much easier to find people who are concussion-related soon. Researchers from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences found in an investigation that a simple blood test could be enough to detect concussion early. Thus, delayed diagnosis could not delay treatment. The physicians published their study in the journal "JAMA Neurology".
In the future, a simple blood test may be enough to determine if people are suffering from a concussion. Such a diagnosis would allow for further rapid treatment. (Image: Schulz-Design / fotolia.com) New blood test could quickly provide clear results
Thanks to a new method, we can probably use a simple blood test to determine in the future whether people are suffering from a concussion. This progress would allow faster and more effective treatment, explain the researchers. The study examined patients at a Florida hospital. The results obtained indicate that a concussion in the future can be easily detected by a blood test. However, a routine application will probably take a few more years, explain the scientists. But the new findings are at least an essential step in developing a test that will quickly deliver clear results at sporting events and medical practices, the experts add.
Biomarkers give various information about an existing injury
Several biomarkers have been found useful in the diagnosis of concussions. Each of these biomarkers gives us other information about the injury, explains co-author Dr. Ramon Diaz-Arrastia of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. The American researchers examined nearly 600 adults in Orlando. More than half of all subjects showed commotion (concussion) from car accidents, falls, sports or other activities. Most of these tremors were mild, and sufferers had symptoms such as loss of consciousness, amnesia or disorientation. The rest of the adults had fractures or other types of injuries, the doctors say.
New test measures the proteins GFAP and UCH-L1
The blood samples were first taken four hours after the injury, then repeated at regular intervals for seven days, the experts explain. The tests measure two proteins called GFAP and UCH-L1. Such proteins are present in our brain cells. In case of a head injury, the proteins can leak into the bloodstream, the researchers say. Other studies have shown the highest levels of protein in blood levels if the person had suffered serious injuries. Both proteins could be detected in higher amounts, if those affected had suffered a concussion, add the physicians. The proteins could also be detected in small amounts in some patients who had no concussion. Probably the proteins came here from a bump on the head, which was caused by an accident, the researchers say.
Many sufferers go with a concussion too late to the doctor
The level of UCH protein increased rapidly in a concussion, but also fell back significantly within two days. The GFAP level, however, was still detectable during the week after the injury, explain the doctors. Many patients with concussion do not take the injury seriously at the beginning and therefore do not go to the doctor. They usually go to see a doctor first, if the symptoms last a few days, explain the scientists. Blood tests could help such patients to diagnose their injury more quickly. This could determine if neurological testing or other medical treatment is required. The data are encouraging because the readily detectable biomarkers can help detect a concussion, the researchers add.
New blood test could help especially athletes
In the US alone, more than 2 million people in the emergency department undergo treatment for concussion and other brain trauma each year. Some damages can not be visualized by imaging, which is why physicians typically rely on found symptoms. The diagnosis is very important because repetitive heartbeats are associated with permanent memory problems, the researchers say. The symptoms of a concussion, such as dizziness and tiredness, can also be caused by dehydration, say the experts. Especially for athletes, dehydration poses another danger. Thus, a quick, reliable test that can distinguish between the two conditions would be a useful tool in the treatment of athletes, the scientists explain.
There are blood tests that can diagnose problems with other organs such as heart, liver or kidney diseases, say the doctors. Now, the researchers say they are about to develop a rapid test that examines the brain. In the future, it might be possible to determine within a matter of minutes with a handy device whether these proteins are present and whether there is a concussion, the experts explain. (As)