NEW SALIVA TEST DETECTS DANGEROUS CONCUSSIONS
DANGEROUS concussions can be identified with a simple saliva sample, which could offer the opportunity for speedy diagnoses, a new study suggests.
Researchers from Britain’s University of Birmingham say they compared samples of spit from more than
150 rugby players and found certain genetic markers in saliva determined with 94 percent accuracy which athletes had experienced concussions and which had not.
Experts say the finding could be a game-changer for sports as it may kick off an on-the-spot option to diagnose jocks on the sidelines and prevent them from playing with potential brain injuries.
“It is now possible to accurately identify concussions simply by analyzing players’ saliva, extending the ability to safeguard the brains of injured players outside professional ranks,” says study co-author Valentina Di Pietro.