Researchers based in London have developed a blood test that can determine whether a young athlete has suffered a concussion.
Scientists at the Lawson Health Research Institute and Western University say the test can make the determination with greater than 90% certainty. Prior to their discovery, diagnosis of a concussion in an adolescent relied on symptom assessment and the observations of medical professionals.
The study, led by Dr. Douglas Fraser of Children's Hospital and Mark Daley of Western University, focused on a form of blood profiling known as metabolomics. The researchers found that blood drawn from a person who suffered a blow to head within 72 hours of the injury can show metabolic patterns that indicate that a concussion has happened.
"This novel approach, to use blood testing of metabolites as a diagnostic tool for concussions, was exploratory and we were extremely pleased with the robustness of our initial results," said Dr. Fraser. "We looked at a host of patterns and it appears that those who suffered a concussion have a very different pattern than those who have not had a concussion."
The findings were recently published in the international journal Metabolomics.
"The discovery of a blood test that can aid in concussion diagnosis is very important," said Dr. Fraser. "With further research, we anticipate that our blood test will also aid clinicians in predicting concussion outcome, as well as aid rehabilitation after concussion."
