When a person suffers from a concussion, getting an accurate diagnosis is often difficult. Unlike broken bones, torn muscles and other injuries, there isn’t any diagnostic imaging test that can detect a concussion. Experts hope that soon changes. They hope that they will soon be able to diagnose concussions using a blood test.
Currently, heart attacks can be diagnosed through a blood test. Research that is being done now suggests that a blood test might one day be able to detect a concussion. The blood tests that are being researched include one that measures protein levels in the blood. When a brain injury occurs, the biomarker of that injury is an elevated protein level.
It is also hoped that a blood test will be developed that can determine if a degenerative brain disease known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy is present in patients with repetitive head injuries. The only way currently to determine if a person has CTE is by a post-mortem examination of the brain tissues.
A neurosurgeon and concussion expert from Toronto says that he will be disappointed if the biomarkers for concussions and CTE aren’t known within the next 3 to 4 years. He also remarked that recent research that he was involved in publishing found that people who suffer from repeated concussions have altered MRIs that detect brain damage.
Suffering from a brain injury is an event that leads to many uncertainties. Proper medical care and support can help to increase the chances of a patient’s recovery. If you have suffered a brain injury that was caused by someone’s negligence, you might choose to explore your options for seeking compensation.
Source: TheStar.com, “Brain damage detection rests on progress in blood testing,” Dave Feschuk, Sep. 14, 2015
