The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has sanctioned approval for a new blood test, reportedly the first of its kind, that will help medical practitioners effectively diagnose brain injuries. The approval indicates that the company introducing the test, i.e., Banyan Biomarkers, can now safely commercialize the same. In effect, the official approval has now provided the company with an impetus to take lead in the biotechnology industry, the players of which have been striving to detect a methodology to diagnose brain injuries.
According to authentic sources, Banyan carried out extensive research pertaining to brain injury diagnosis, post which this blood test has come to the fore. Apparently, this test is designed to effectively pick up brain trauma. The test additionally depicts that the absence of the two proteins in the test is a fairly good indication that the CT scans will be normal. Essentially, claims Dr. Jeffrey Bazarian, emergency medicine professor at the University of Rochester, this affirms that patients whose blood tests are negative can avoid CT scans and radiation exposure.
According to the New York Times, this test, tentatively titled ‘Brain Trauma Indicator’, is expected to bring about a reduction in the number of patients exposed to radiation via computed tomography scans. In the event that the blood test witnesses widespread adoption, it is being speculated that it could conveniently help to detect intracranial lesions or brain tissue damage. The NY Times also reports that it would eliminate the requirement of CT scans in at least 33% of patients suspected of having brain injuries.
For the record, numerous other companies have been working on similar blood tests to detect brain injuries. Reportedly, BioDirection is also developing a test with two proteins, one of them from Banyan’s test, while simultaneously developing a portable device to obtain a diagnosis from a single blood drop in less than 120 seconds. Abbott has also licensed both of Banyan’s protein biomarkers in addition to developing its own blood tests.