Concussions are a common injury that can occur in a variety of situations, from sports and car accidents to falls and workplace accidents.
In the past, diagnosing a concussion often involved a CT scan, which can be time-consuming and expensive. However, a new blood test from Abbott Laboratories may change that.
What Is A Concussion?
A concussion is a type of mild traumatic brain injury that can occur when the head is hit, shaken, or jolted. It can cause a variety of symptoms, including headaches, dizziness, confusion, and memory problems, as well as long-term consequences such as depression and increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease.
Concussions are often diagnosed based on a patient’s symptoms, medical history, and a neurological exam. However, these methods are not always accurate, and some symptoms may not appear until hours or even days after the injury.
This can make it difficult to diagnose and treat concussions effectively.
Abbott Receives FDA Approval for New Blood Test
Abbott, a medical device manufacturer, recently received FDA clearance for the first commercially available laboratory blood test for traumatic brain injury (concussions).
This test could revolutionize the way we diagnose and treat concussions, potentially saving time and resources for patients and healthcare providers.
How Does The TBI Blood Test Work?
The new TBI blood test from Abbott works by measuring levels of two proteins that are released into the bloodstream after a head injury: glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCH-L1). These proteins are biomarkers that can indicate the presence and severity of a concussion.
The test itself is simple and fast. A small sample of blood is taken from the patient and analyzed using Abbott’s Alinity i laboratory instrument. The test provides results in just 18 minutes, which can help clinicians quickly assess patients with suspected concussions and triage them accordingly.
This means that healthcare providers will be able to quickly and accurately diagnose concussions, reducing wait times at the hospital and helping patients receive prompt treatment.
Don’t Underestimate Concussions
While concussions are often considered mild injuries, they should not be underestimated. The long-term consequences of concussions can be severe, and repeated concussions can increase the risk of long-term brain damage.
With the new TBI blood test from Abbott, diagnosing concussions can be quicker and more accurate than ever before, potentially improving outcomes for patients.
