A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a brain injury caused by an outside force, such as a forceful blow or an object entering the brain.1 TBIs must be diagnosed early and accurately, so treatment can start as soon as possible.2
| Rapid diagnosis = Timely treatment = Improved patient outcomes |
TBIs can lead to severe consequences, such as cognitive impairments and neurological disorders like chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).1 Athletes who play contact sports like American football run a high risk of TBI sports injuries3 - one study by the Journal of the American Medical Association diagnosed CTE in 87% of former football players.3 Symptoms of CTE include cognitive difficulties such as problems with thinking and communication, issues with impulse control, depression, and movement disorders.1
Clinicopathological evaluation of CTE in players of American football
A repair protein called 18 kDa translocator protein (TSPO) is present in the brain at high levels immediately after a brain injury, as part of the inflammatory response and to facilitate repair. However, a study by Johns Hopkins Medicine on brain scans of former National Football League (NFL) athletes found that high levels of TSPO persist long after head trauma such as a concussion have occurred. These findings suggest that brain injury and repair processes continue for years after players end their careers leading to long-term cognitive problems.4
Brain scans of former NFL athletes show a repair protein in place long after initial injury
Concussion is a type of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) that is often considered temporary. It can be caused by a blow to the head, a sports injury or fall or a car accident. The healing process can vary widely, taking anywhere from a few minutes to several months.1
| Did you know? Mild traumatic brain injury accounts for about 90% of all TBI cases.5 |
All TBIs, including concussion, should be immediately evaluated by a medical professional with experience in head injuries:1
Recent advances in imaging, such as diffusion tensor imaging and susceptibility-weighted imaging, have made it easier to detect milder TBIs. However, despite these developments, imaging technologies can’t always diagnose mild concussive injuries.1
The limitations of imaging tests6
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“If you are brought to an emergency room with a traumatic brain injury and your CT scan is negative, you are almost always told ‘you’re fine, go home’. But we now understand that a significant percentage of those patients are not fine, and in fact continue to have issues for months.” - Okonkwo D, 2024, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pennsylvania7 |
This is why medical professionals and sports organizations are now turning to blood biomarkers to obtain more comprehensive results.
In vitro diagnostic (IVD) tests provide a faster and often more accurate alternative to brain imaging. These minimally invasive tests require only a simple blood sample. IVD tests enable early and accurate TBI detection, leading to more effective treatment plans and better long-term outcomes for patients.8
Specific IVD tests for TBI are becoming increasingly available. For example, GFAP and UCH-L1 biomarkers are well-validated and specific to brain injury. Elevated levels of these proteins in the blood are associated with brain injuries detectable through neuroimaging, aiding clinicians in deciding whether to order a CT scan.8
Medix Biochemica specializes in providing high-quality, high-performing antibodies against many important neurology related markers, including GFAP and UCH-L1. We look forward to continuing to support customers with similar raw materials as these tests and new assays become more readily available.8
Saliva testing also shows promise in mTBI detection. Diagnosing concussions by detecting salivary microRNAs offers a faster and even less invasive alternative to blood tests, and can easily be used in settings like on sports fields or in emergency situations.9
Read more about the potential benefits of saliva testing
With improved testing options for traumatic brain injuries available, the world of sports will benefit in several key ways:8
The challenges of testing blood biomarkers8,10,11
To overcome these challenges, continued research and development are essential. Advancements in detection technologies and the identification of more robust biomarkers will enhance the accuracy and reliability of blood tests for traumatic brain injuries. Collaboration between researchers, medical professionals and technology developers is crucial to drive these innovations forward and improve patient outcomes.8b
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“Despite the aforementioned challenges, there is no question that the forthcoming years and decades will see a revolution in the diagnostics of brain disorders. Biomarkers have potential uses that other methodologies cannot replace. They may give information on injuries in different cell types and separate cellular compartments, such as axonal or synaptic injury. They may be used to monitor treatment responses rapidly. They can give – when used in validated panels – a comprehensive picture about the brain state non-invasively. Not least, they may be used for point-of-care rapid diagnostics, thus opening entirely new possibilities for the clinicians.” -Tenovuo O, 2021, University of Turku, Turku, Finland10 |
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Novel ideas currently being explored for the diagnosis of TBIs include:
Read more about the Head Health Initiative
Research into cutting-edge diagnostic technology for improved TBI diagnosis is ongoing.5
TBI Detection: Past, Present and Future
Contact Medix Biochemica to discuss our IVD testing raw materials for the detection of traumatic brain injuries and numerous other neurological conditions.
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