FDA approves first blood test to aid in diagnosis of concussions

The Food and Drug Administration gave a green light Wednesday for the first time to a blood test that doctors can use to help rule out concussions.

The Brain Trauma Indicator, marketed by Banyan Biomarkers Inc., measures the levels of two proteins — called UCH-L1 and GFAP — whose elevated presence suggests a certain type of brain damage normally only visible on a CT scan. The test takes three to four hours, and doctors could use it to determine which patients need a CT scan to confirm the damage and which patients can rest easy.