New Blood Test Can Predict Likelihood of Recovering From a Traumatic Brain Injury
Nov 3, 2021
Legal Help for Veterans is a law firm helping veterans get the benefits they deserve.
Northville, MI (Law Firm Newswire) November 3, 2021 – A recently published study has found that elevated protein levels in the brain correlate to a person’s likelihood to recover from a traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Researchers from the Imperial College of London conducted the study and reported their findings in Science Translational Medicine. The researchers used a new blood test to measure the levels of neurofilament light (NfL for short) in the brains of 146 participants. NfL is a protein that provides structure to axons in the brain, which are tendrils that send messages between brain cells.
The level of NfL in the brain is elevated for about a year after a TBI. The concentration of the protein peaks at around ten times more than the average amount 20 days after a TBI; measuring this level can predict the likeliness and difficulty of the sufferer bouncing back from their injury.
Brain scans on the study participants supported that hypothesis. NfL concentration ultimately predicted how much brain shrinkage and axon damage would be present at six and 12 months after injury. The higher these levels were at their peak, the more likely the injured person would have a longer, harder and less successful recovery period.
“Traumatic brain injuries are widespread for post-9/11 veterans. They are considered the hallmark injury of Iraq and Afghanistan wars,” offered James G. Fausone, lead attorney at VA disability law firm Legal Help for Veterans in Northville, Michigan. “Accurately measuring NfL levels through noninvasive tests can show who might bounce back from a TBI easily and who will have a more difficult recovery. Patients predicted to experience ongoing difficulties might be able to access supportive therapies and treatments that can help.”
Legal Help for Veterans is a veteran-owned law firm that handles veteran disability claims exclusively. To contact attorney James G. Fausone and the rest of the Legal Help for Veterans team, visit https://www.legalhelpforveterans.com/.
Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC
41700 West Six Mile Road, Suite 101
Northville, MI 48168
Toll Free Phone: 800.693.4800
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