A newly created blood test can diagnose a concussion with more than 90 percent accuracy, according to a new study published in Metabolomics.
The new test involves profiling metabolites in the patient's blood to identify distinct patterns indicative of a recent concussion. Metabolites are small molecules produced by the body's metabolism.
To test the diagnostic method, researchers obtained plasma samples from 12 concussed and 17 non-concussed athletes. Within 72 hours of injury, researchers were able to detect a concussion at a 92 percent accuracy rate.
"The discovery of a blood test that can aid in concussion diagnosis is very important," said Douglas Fraser, MD, PhD, a physician with the Children's health Research Institute, the third largest, hospital-based child health research institute in Canada. "With further research, we anticipate that our blood test will also aid clinicians in predicting concussion outcome, as well as aid rehabilitation after concussion."
According to the CDC, more than 170,000 kids and teenagers are treated in the emergency department for traumatic brain injuries, including concussions, related to sports or recreational activities.
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