A recently published study suggests a new method of diagnosing concussion in older adults.
The study, conducted by Monash University and The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne, Australia, found that presence of a protein called glial fibrillary acidic protein in a person’s plasma can suggest that a concussion has occurred. The study looked at older adults aged 60 to 84-years-old.
This test suggests a more objective and reliable measure for concussions, say researchers, as concussion diagnosis currently relies on self-reporting of signs and symptoms.
“For an older patient cohort at risk of falls, the ability to test and detect for concussion whilst they are still with us in the emergency department is an invaluable addition to our toolkit as clinicians, enabling us to mitigate risk of subsequent falls and improve patient outcomes,” said lead author Dr. Biswadev Mitra.
Read the full-text of the article online.
