Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center have found a revolutionary way to detect brain injury. Published in The Lancet Neurology, for the first time ever doctors will be able to test a blow to the head via a blood test. “For the first time in the U.S., a blood test will be available to help doctors determine if people who’ve experienced a blow to the head could have a traumatic brain injury such as brain bleeding or bruising,” stated URMC in a press release.
It goes on to explain, “Until this point, physicians have relied on subjective markers – mainly patient-reported symptoms such as headaches, nausea, or light sensitivity – to make an educated “guess” on which individuals have brain trauma and require a head CT scan.” This test is essential because some sportsmen might try to hide a head injury in order to continue playing and the blood test will help avoid just that.
Dr Bazarian, a professor of Emergency Medicine at the University of Rochester Medical Center, said, “The results of this study show that we now have something to offer—a brain biomarker blood test. The ability of this test to predict traumatic injuries on head CT scan will soon allow emergency physicians to provide patients with an unbiased report on the status of their brain.”
This test could also help cut down on emergency room wait times.
