Abbott receives CE mark for traumatic brain injury blood test
pharmafile | December 8, 2021 | News story | Research and Development |
Abbott has received a CE mark for its laboratory traumatic brain injury (TBI) blood test. This will be the first widely available, and will help clinicians assess individuals with suspected mild TBIs, including concussions.
About 69 million people worldwide are estimated to experience a TBI each year. These are caused by some kind of jostle to the head, and they can lead to risk of both short- and long-term effects. The test measures specific proteins, otherwise known as biomarkers, present in the blood after a suspected TBI.
It requires a blood sample to be drawn from the arm, which is then placed in a centrifuge to extract plasma or serum, and then introduced to the Abbott Alinity I laboratory instrument.
The blood test can be used as an aid, to eliminate the need for a head CT scan, which can potentially reduce costs for patients, as well as the amount of time they spend in the emergency department. The laboratory test has the potential to provide a more objective method of concussion evaluation while enabling more rapid triaging of patients, enabling increased efficiency.
“We know people may brush off a hit to the head for many reasons. Some are unaware of the signs and symptoms of concussion – and others are sceptical that a trip to the doctor will be able to give them a clear answer on whether they’ve injured their brains and what to do about it,” said Beth McQuiston, MD, medical director in Abbott’s diagnostics business. “This test is revolutionary because it provides an objective blood test result to aid in concussion assessment, so people can consult with their doctors to heal in the best way possible.”
Lina Adams
