New Blood Test May Provide early detection for Traumatic Brain Injury

U.S. Army researchers have developed a blood test that may quickly diagnose mild traumatic brain injury or concussions. If approved, the blood test will help diagnose brain damage in children, soldiers and victims of car accidents.
 
Concussions are blows to the head that damage the brain. Concussions are common injuries in slip and fall accidents, workplace accidents, construction site accidents, and car crashes.
 
Researchers found that certain proteins released into the blood stream when brain cells are broken open as the result of a brain injury. The blood test which was developed in collaboration with Banyan Biomarkers targets these proteins.  It was tested on 34 patients in a preliminary trial.
 
Unlike those who suffer severe concussions, victims of mild brain injury often have no immediate outward symptoms of the damage to their brains.  Milder forms of traumatic brain injuries are not usually seen on x-ray, computer tomography (CT), or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans.  For this reason, many mild concussions go undiagnosed.
 
A person with a mild concussion is at risk for more serious and permanent brain damage if they suffer a second concussion before the first one is fully healed. Repeated concussions can lead to dizziness, memory loss and difficulty concentrating. These symptoms are common in high school, college and professional athletes.
A test for concussions will ensure that injury victims get the care they need to avoid further brain damage.
 
The Army is currently creating prototypes of devices that would be able to test for concussion in the field.  These could be used by emergency personnel, coaches and others to diagnose concussions at the scene of the injury.
 
The test must pass clinical trials before it can be approved for general use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).   The U.S. Defense Department is planning a test of 1,200 patients at 30 trauma centers around the country.  The result of this major test is expected to be submitted to the FDA for approval of the blood test by the end of 2012.
 
The Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys represents victims of brain injury in Kansas and Missouri.  If you or a loved one has sustained traumatic brain injury (TBI) in a Missouri car accident or because of the negligence or reckless behavior of another person, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Contact the Kansas City brain injury attorneys at Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys at 888-348-2616 to learn more about the rights of TBI victims. 
 
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