Blood test for concussions

[Trapped in California]

Wonder how prevalent this will be, if approved? Kind of a pandora's box, everyone may test positive after a game?

http://www.wsj.com/articles/a-game-changer-for-diagnosing-concussions-in-the-nfl-1479394502

[vbfan19]

Re: Blood test for concussions

I wonder what the science is behind that (though I don't wonder strongly enough to feel the need to subscribe to the WSJ in order to possibly find out)

[Trapped in California]

Re: Blood test for concussions

Here's the key paragraph

The paper shows that a small sample of blood, drawn within six hours of a forceful impact, can be tested with the Quanterix machine to determine whether a concussion victim will be able to return safely to action within 10 days or should sit out for several weeks.

[vbfan19]

Re: Blood test for concussions

does it check for bits of brain matter in the bloodstream?

[Trapped in California]

Re: Blood test for concussions

molecular markers of some sort. Comparable to the blood test that shows the occurrence of a heart attack.

[UNIdad]

Re: Blood test for concussions

Looking forward to asking UNIdaughter about this.

[in_the_stands]

Re: Blood test for concussions

molecular markers of some sort. Comparable to the blood test that shows the occurrence of a heart attack.

Interesting. Have heard stories of guys who went in for a check up and the doctor says something like "By the way did you know you've had a heart attack?" and the guys are floored.

[ronfitch]

Re: Blood test for concussions

There was a report released earlier this month, but the study had a very small sample size (29) of hockey players in Canada, claiming 90 percent accuracy:

http://www.webmd.com/brain/news/20161111/blood-test-may-someday-diagnose-concussion#1

Earlier this year, there was a report of study of a larger group (600 adults), claiming 97 percent accuracy. That study cited the presence of a protein in the bloodstream for up to seven days after the concussion. The same research group had conducted a similar study of 153 children in 2015 and hit 94 percent accuracy:

http://www.medicaldaily.com/concussions-sports-blood-test-traumatic-brain-injury-cte-379948