How Spit is Helping Concussion Research

Concussions usually occur as a result of a serious blow to the head resulting from a car accident or participation in sports. Determining how long a patient will experience symptoms from a concussion is often a guessing game based on subjective information, especially when the patient is a child. A study from Penn State College of Medicine researchers, published in JAMA Pediatrics, has discovered how small molecules in saliva can help diagnose concussions and also better predict how long patients will experience symptoms.

The traditional way to diagnose a concussion usually involves patient surveys. This consists of the doctor asking the patient, or their parents, depending on the patient’s age, a series of questions about the head trauma and the symptoms they’re experiencing. A physical exam is also involved but these methods are very subjective in nature and the physician is required to make an educated guess about the severity of the concussion and duration of symptoms based on the information they’ve gathered from their patient. Because these guesses aren’t evidenced-based, they aren’t always accurate.

Researchers at Penn State College of Medicine studied 52 concussion patients between the ages of 7 and 21. Unlike previous studies that have focused on proteins which have a difficult time crossing the blood-brain barrier, researchers in this study chose to focus on the presence of certain microRNAs in saliva. MicroRNAs are biomarkers found throughout the body that affect how genes are expressed under certain conditions like illness or injury. In addition to traditional methods of diagnosing concussions, saliva was collected from the patients and analyzed for the presence and levels of different microRNAs. The microRNA profiles were then compared to patient symptoms at the initial intake assessment as well as a four-week follow up assessment.

Researchers found that the microRNAs were able to predict the persistence of symptoms with an 85% accuracy rate. Subjective assessment surveys like the SCAT-3 report of symptoms were only 64% accurate in predicting how long the patient would suffer with concussion symptoms. There were five microRNAs identified as accurately predicting prolonged symptoms. The ability to accurately predict the length of time symptoms would last for gives physicians the ability to start patient treatment sooner rather than taking a wait-and-see approach.

While more research is needed, this study from Penn State College of Medicine brings science one step closer to being able to accurately predict how long concussion symptoms will last for as well as objectively identify that a concussion has occurred. By measuring microRNAs in saliva, one day the medical profession may have an accurate and objective way to diagnose and treat concussions.

Lifecycle Biotechnologies is excited to share with you the latest in medical research, such as this study from Penn State College of Medicine. As a life sciences tools and service provider, we understand the importance of this type of research as well as the critical roles our products and services play in the life sciences industry. To learn more about our products and services and how we can partner with your lab, contact us today.