New Biomarker Kit for Noninvasive and Early Mild Brain Injury Detection
Abstract
Medicortex is developing a fast and easy-to-use diagnostic device for the point-of-action detection of traumatic brain injury (TBI), its mildest form commonly called a concussion. Currently, the diagnosis of TBI is made mainly based on a neurological examination typically aided with imaging techniques. These are inefficient diagnostic tools, especially for mild TBI (mTBI), and in the case where imaging techniques are not always readily available, especially in field conditions. Medicortex has discovered a novel type of biomarker for TBI in non-invasive samples of body fluids, such as urine and saliva. In the proposed study, biomarker(s) will be verified and characterized by analyzing samples of blood plasma, urine, and saliva collected from TBI patients, and comparing them to samples collected from orthopedic patients and healthy volunteers. These samples have already been collected as part of a clinical study in Finland, and their collection is not part of this proposal. TBI is common across all age populations, and according to the World Health Organization, TBI is the leading cause of death and disability in children and young adults. For the elderly population, slips and falls may easily lead to a concussion. TBI incidence of varying severity can occur in simple, household or work-related accidents; automobile accidents; sports-related injuries (especially high contact sports such as American football, ice hockey, combat sports, etc.); and as a result of explosions (as may be experienced in active military service). Medicortex’s innovative approach provides an outstanding opportunity for the development of novel diagnostic methods, which will facilitate accurate and efficient diagnosis of TBI (especially mTBI) - improving patient outcomes by expediting treatment and lessening the burden on first responders and medical staff by allowing for accurate triage.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jul 16, 2019
- Source ID
- W81XWH1910258
Entities
People
- Adrian Harel
Organizations
- United States Army