Challenges of the Effectiveness of Traumatic Brain Injuries Biomarkers in the Sports-Related Context

Traumatic brain injury affects 69 million people every year. One of the main limitations in managing TBI patients is the lack of univocal diagnostic criteria, including the absence of standardized assessment methods and guidelines. Computerized axial tomography is the first-choice examination, despite the limited prevalence of positivity; moreover, its performance is undesirable due to the risk of radiological exposure, prolonged stay in emergency departments, inefficient use of resources, high cost, and complexity. Furthermore, immediacy and accuracy in diagnosis and management of TBIs are critically unmet medical needs. Especially in the context of sports-associated TBI, there is a strong need for prognostic indicators to help diagnose and identify at-risk subjects to avoid their returning to play while the brain is still highly vulnerable. Fluid biomarkers may emerge as new prognostic indicators to develop more accurate prediction models, improving risk stratification and clinical decision making. This review describes the current understanding of the cellular sources, temporal profile, and potential utility of leading and emerging blood-based protein biomarkers of TBI; its focus is on biomarkers that could improve the management of mild TBI cases and can be measured readily and directly in the field, as in the case of sports-related contexts.

Automated summary

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) affects 69 million people annually, but the lack of diagnostic criteria and standardized assessment methods hampers efficient management. Current first-choice examination, computerized axial tomography, has limitations and drawbacks. Immediate and accurate diagnosis and management of TBIs, especially in sports-related cases, are critically needed. Fluid biomarkers may serve as prognostic indicators, improving risk stratification and clinical decision making. This review focuses on blood-based protein biomarkers that can be readily and directly measured in the field, aiming to enhance mild TBI management.