First blood test for concussion assessment wins FDA approval

The FDA has approved the marketing of a novel blood test to assess mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) in adults, potentially leading to a reduction in the number of unnecessary CT scans. A more efficient diagnostic tool? Currently, the majority of patients with suspected mTBI are assessed using the 15-point Glasgow Coma scale, followed by CT scanning to detect intracranial brain lesions that may require treatment. The Banyan Brain Trauma Indicator, developed by Banyan Biomarkers (CA, USA) is a blood test measuring levels of UCH-L1 and GFAP, proteins released by the brain into the bloodstream following injury. Detection of these...