Serum biochemical markers for post-concussion syndrome in patients with mild traumatic brain injury

J Neurotrauma. 2006 Aug;23(8):1201-10. doi: 10.1089/neu.2006.23.1201.

Abstract

Mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) is a major public health problem in the United States. A significant subset of MTBI patients develop persistent and distressing neurological, cognitive, and behavioral symptoms, known as the post-concussion syndrome (PCS). To date, multiple studies have assessed the relationship between brain-related proteins found in the serum at the time of injury, and the development of PCS. We conducted a systematic review of prospective cohort studies that assessed the ability of serum biochemical markers to predict PCS after MTBI. A total of 11 studies assessing three different potential biochemical markers of PCS--S100 proteins, neuron-specific enolase (NSE), and cleaved Tau protein (CTP)--met selection criteria. Of these markers, S100 appeared to be the best researched. We conclude that no biomarker has consistently demonstrated the ability to predict PCS after MTBI. A combination of clinical factors in conjunction with biochemical markers may be necessary to develop a comprehensive decision rule that more accurately predicts PCS after MTBI.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biomarkers / analysis*
  • Brain Injuries / diagnosis
  • Brain Injuries / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Phosphopyruvate Hydratase / analysis
  • Phosphopyruvate Hydratase / metabolism
  • Post-Concussion Syndrome / metabolism*
  • S100 Proteins / analysis
  • S100 Proteins / metabolism
  • tau Proteins / analysis
  • tau Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • S100 Proteins
  • tau Proteins
  • Phosphopyruvate Hydratase