The FDA approved the first blood test to help diagnose traumatic brain injuries on Feb. 14, according to a recent report by AP News.
The test, created by U.S. biotech company Banyan Biomarkers, detects two proteins in brain cells that can leak into the bloodstream following a brain injury. This allows the test to diagnose a brain injury within 12 hours.
According to AP News, if the test is positive, patients would need to undergo a CT scan to confirm results and determine if additional treatment is necessary. The test could be used in emergency rooms across the U.S. by the end of the year. Banyan hopes it will eventually make its way to professional sports and the military.
"[The test] sets the stage for a more modernized standard of care for testing of suspected cases,” said FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, MD, in a prepared statement.
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A recent graduate from Dominican University (IL) with a bachelor’s in journalism, Melissa joined TriMed’s Chicago team in 2017 covering all aspects of health imaging. She’s a fan of singing and playing guitar, elephants, a good cup of tea, and her golden retriever Cooper.