A new study is being conducted by the Auckland University of Technology (AUT) to help address the mistreatment of concussed athletes, especially women.
Researchers hope their study will lead to improved diagnosis of concussion, allowing doctors to give more accurate guidance on when and if athletes can return to play without the risk of further brain injury.
To find out more, TDA spoke to lead researcher Patria Hume.
The study
Hume is a professor of Human Performance at AUT, which is conducting the study in collaboration with global healthcare company Abbott.
The researchers at AUT will use technology provided by Abbott, which Hume described as a “super smart blood detective machine to help us find the best times to collect blood samples after a concussion.”
Research has shown that female athletes are up to twice as likely to sustain a concussion as male athletes.
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Hume said: “With this technology, we can uncover insights that will lead to early detection, better treatment options, and personalised care plans tailored to the unique needs of each woman.”
Blood tests and concussion
After a traumatic brain injury (TBI), the makeup of an injured person's blood changes. This means that blood tests can play an important role in diagnosing a concussion. One part of Hume and her team’s research will be determining when the best time to test an athlete’s blood is to diagnose head trauma.
The research could also play an important role in recovery, with Hume and her team hoping to identify the biomarkers in a blood test that indicate an athlete is safe to return to play.
Additionally, the research could help doctors accurately determine the severity of an injury and whether or not a CT scan is necessary.
The research will not only help athletes but also anyone with head trauma. The top three causes for concussion, according to Hume, are sport, car accidents, and gender-based violence. Hume and her team will be working with the emergency department at a hospital in Wellington, testing the broad range of patients admitted with head injuries.
