Western-led concussion research preps for prime time

An innovative concussion blood test developed by researchers at Western University is set to begin a pivotal clinical trial with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration in the coming weeks. Leveraging biomarkers and artificial intelligence, the test could be a game-changer for concussion diagnosis and management. Currently, there is no single test that can definitively provide a concussion diagnosis - testing methods are subjective, relying on self-reported symptoms and clinician judgment. The non-invasive test uses a form of blood profiling, called 'metabolomics,' to identify distinct patterns in metabolites - small molecules - that indicate a concussion has occurred. With a few drops of blood from the prick of a finger, a sample is collected on a convenient filter paper device and, once submitted for lab analysis, compared to a baseline blood sample and a population reference. It can determine if someone has suffered a concussion in about 20 minutes and has shown up to 96 per cent accuracy. "We're trying to make sure concussions aren't missed," explained Dr. Douglas Fraser, professor in pediatrics, physiology and pharmacology, and clinical neurological sciences, who is leading the development of the technology.