Blood test could help identify impact-related brain disease

CINCINNATI (WKRC) – There could soon be a new blood test to help identify those at risk for brain diseases due to concussions and head trauma.

Right now, to diagnose impact-related brain disease, which comes from repeated blows to the heads, doctors must wait until the person is deceased.

But now, researchers at the Cleveland Clinic said certain elements in the blood may contain biomarkers which could help identify chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) or long-term consequences of head blows.

Measuring repeated hits to the head in athletes while they’re still living may help identify problems for early intervention.

Dr. Charles Bernick has been studying a group of active and retired mixed martial arts fighters and boxers for 12 years now. His research has showed that elevated levels of a certain biomarker in the blood correlates with a decline in cognitive function and structures of the brain.

“So, it could be used to follow football players, hockey players, soccer players, our military. But again, we don’t know that if this finding applies to these groups, and we have to assess that before we can be sure and use this test on a routine basis,” said Dr. Bernick, a neurologist at the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health.

This may also help in developing medications, which could help counter the impact of these repeated head blows.