How do we detect TBI after it happens on the battlefield?

I have made a few posts concerning the strides that are taking place in trying to mitigate the effects of blast-related TBI and with detecting the possible effects of the blast on the brain.  But what about a test to determine if the Soldier actually has TBI?  In the past, the Army had used a test called "Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics" to create a baseline that could be used in future treatment.

Army Surgeon General, Lt. General Eric Schoomaker testified before the House Armed Services Commitee that the test is in effect, flawed.  Lt General Schoomaker stated  the test "is insensitive and nonspecific. It misses about a quarter to a third of [troops] who are concussed and includes about 50 percent of [troops] not concussed."  What Lt General Schoomaker is proposing, is that the Army move to use the "Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing, known as ImPACT, a tool the National Football League uses to assess brain injuries in its players."  Lt General Schoomaker went on to state that short of a clinical diagnosis on the battlefield, there is no definitive test.

There may be some hope on the horizon.  Recently, researchers for the United States Army have developed a blood test that they believe can detect even the mildes forms of TBI.  There is hope that this test could be used in the future to detect Shaken Baby Syndrome in child abuse cases.  The blood test works by looking for "unique proteins that spill into the bloodstream after injury and is akin to the test that doctors currently use to diagnose heart disease."  It looks as though approximately 1,200 patients will be used in the large trial before it goes before the FDA for approval. 

I certainly hope this blood test will provide the detailed results that the doctors are looking for.  Traumatic Brain Injury has been called the "signature" wound of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.  To read the articles that are discussed in this blog comment, please click below.

http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20110316_3265.php?oref=topnews#
http://www.amsvans.com/blog/2795-new-blood-test-to-diagnose-traumatic-brain-injury-tbi/
http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20100524_1840.php#

MARCH is National Brain Injury Awareness Month:

 http://www.armymedicine.army.mil/