The NFL could soon have a new way of diagnosing players for head injuries as the FDA has approved a new rapid concussion blood test that might make it to the sidelines.
The i-STAT Alinity test can detect two proteins that get released into the blood when someone suffers a concussion. According to Abott, its developer, the test has a 95.6 percent rate of ruling a concussion if done within 24 hours of a head injury. It’s also faster than the i-STAT TBI test, which needs to be used on a centrifuge and requires blood serum.
University of Pittsburgh professor and Steelers’ neurologist Dr. David Okonkwo was part of the development team. He reckons it could be used during NFL games and other sports following extra research.
“The nature of the studies performed to gain FDA clearance for these tests were done in patients brought to level one trauma centers,” he said, per Abby Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “We have every reason to believe there is significant overlap with the injuries to athletes who sustain a concussion, but we need to do studies specifically in that patient population to confirm that use.”
A Rapid Concussion Blood Test Would Be Great For The NFL
Abbott expects the new rapid concussion blood test to be available in emergency rooms and other urgent care centers by the summer.
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The NFL would do well to put such a test to use. Concussions have become a topic of debate in recent years, with its protocol coming under fire following head injuries suffered by certain players.
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is perhaps the best recent example. The QB had a troubled 2022 season after suffering multiple head injuries. He was diagnosed with two concussions during the term. Still, many believe he was actually concussed three times and accused the Fins of putting their player’s health in danger.
Such a test would eliminate any confusion over whether or not a player suffered a concussion, as it’s expected that the league would be transparent with results.
