Blood biomarker test improves detection of hidden brain injuries

Shawn Eagle, Ph.D., assistant professor, Pitt's Department of Neurological SurgeryWe're sending people home with a negative CT scan, but 1 in 4 have an abnormality visible on MRI indicating that they should have specialized follow-up care."

The two proteins, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and ubiquitin c-terminal hydrolase-L1 (UCH-L1), rise in the bloodstream immediately post-injury and fall over time. Researchers asked if these two proteins could distinguish between patients with mild TBI who had positive CT scans versus negative CT scans and, importantly, distinguish patients who had negative CT scans and positive MRI results from patients with negative CT and MRI scans.

Source:

University of Pittsburgh

Journal reference: