University of Pittsburgh researchers develop blood test for hidden brain injuries

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have developed a method to identify traumatic brain injuries (TBI) using blood biomarker analysis. The study, published in the Journal of Neurosurgery, focuses on two specific proteins: Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP) and Ubiquitin C-terminal Hydrolase L1 (UCH-L1).

These proteins rise in the bloodstream following brain cell damage. The research indicates that measuring GFAP levels within the first 24 hours of an injury is particularly effective at distinguishing between patients with visible neuroimaging abnormalities and those whose initial CT scans appear normal. This is critical because standard CT scans may fail to detect injuries that later appear on more expensive or time-consuming MRI scans.

The study aims to improve triage and care escalation in emergency departments. In the United States, approximately 2.8 million people experience TBI annually, often resulting in long-term disability. By providing an objective way to identify injuries when imaging is inconclusive, clinicians hope to improve long-term patient outcomes.