Genevan researchers develop a blood test for concussions

A drop of blood is sufficient to exclude a slight traumatic brain injury. On the other hand, if the test involves a risk, the people involved should go to the hospital for further clarification. (Photo: University of Geneva)

(nda)

A single drop of blood is sufficient to diagnose a mild traumatic brain injury within ten minutes, said Monday the University of Geneva. The rapid test inspired pregnancy test was developed by Jean-Charles Sanchez, professor in the Department of Medicine of the University of Geneva, with Spanish colleagues

They used the fact that the concentration of certain proteins in the blood after a slight brain injury increases. This is because the brain cells are damaged in the event of a blow to the head, releasing these proteins.

Proteins suggest risk

Researchers compared protein levels in the blood of patients with mild brain trauma. For some of them, computed tomography (CT) examination was negative. In contrast, the suspicion of craniocerebral trauma has been confirmed in other patients.

Both groups differed in blood levels, as reported by researchers in PlosOne. Scientists identified four molecules that indicated brain damage: H-FABP, Interleukin-10, S100B, and GFAP. "We found that the H-FABP value alone helps confirm in a third of patients that they are not at risk of trauma," Sanchez said in the statement.

All-clear or hospitalization

] For patients, this means: If a line appears after ten minutes on the test called TBIcheck, the person must go to a hospital to diagnose the type of brain injury by CT.

If the test field remains empty, the patient can safely return home. Tiring clarifications at the hospital and the radiation dose of CT are spared him. In the long run, this will reduce the burden of emergency services and reduce the costs of health care because CT scans are very expensive.

According to Sanchez, development opens up new possibilities for quick health checks after a boxing or football accident. There, the result of the test could decide if a player can continue safely. But even in remote areas, such as after a climbing accident, the test could for example be used in a family doctor's office. A start-up is planned to commercialize it by 2019.

The research group is already seeking to improve the current test by combining the H-FABP and GFAP values. This should make it possible to give half of the people suspected of having a traumatic brain injury an absolute certainty.

Every year, three million people in Europe with symptoms of mild brain injury are admitted to hospitals. They suffer from visual disturbances, vomiting or temporary fainting. However, only ten percent of them confirm their suspicions after CT.