Researchers report progress in blood test for concussions

CHICAGO -- New research bolsters evidence that a simple blood test may someday be used to detect concussions.

It suggests a protein linked with head trauma may be present in blood up to a week after injury, which could help diagnose patients who delay seeking treatment.

The study involved patients at one hospital in Florida, and the results are preliminary -- a concussion blood test based on the two proteins studied or on other so-called biomarkers under review is likely at least a few years away from routine use.

But the new findings "are a substantial step" in developing a test that could be used in broad settings, from sports events to doctors' offices, according to an editorial published with the study Monday in JAMA Neurology.

Dr. Ramon Diaz-Arrastia, co-author of the editorial and a researcher at the government's Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, said it's likely several biomarkers will be found to be useful for diagnosing concussions.

Dr. Linda Papa, an Orlando Health emergency medicine specialist, and colleagues tested nearly 600 adults treated at Orlando Regional Medical Center.

About half had concussions from car crashes, falls, sports and other activities.

The rest of the adults had fractures or other types of non-brain trauma.

Blood samples were taken starting four hours after the injury, then periodically for seven days.

The tests measured two proteins nicknamed GFAP and UCH-L1, which are present in brain cells.

In this study, levels of both proteins were much higher in concussion patients.