New Blood Test May Modernize Concussion Diagnosis

A new, first-of-its-kind blood test may soon be commercially available to diagnose concussions, a condition that is a growing concern in workers’ comp. San Diego-based Banyan Biomarkers received marketing clearance from the Food and Drug Administration in February for its product, called Brain Trauma Indicator, or Banyan BTI. The test identifies two brain-specific protein biomarkers, UCH-L1 and GFAP, that are found in blood soon after a brain injury. The test may reduce the need for computed tomography (CT) scans of the head to detect brain tissue damage, the FDA said. A blood-testing...