A new blood test may give doctors an early read on how a spinal cord injury could affect movement and sensation. Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine are studying a new “Spinal Cord Injury Index,” which measures biomarkers that are released when spinal cord tissue is damaged. Early human studies found higher levels were linked to more severe injuries and lower levels of recovery.
Currently, spinal cord injuries are evaluated with neurological exams and imaging such as MRI. Those tools remain essential, but their use is limited to the first 24-72 hours after injury. “With the new blood test, we are trying to bring a precision medicine framework to spinal cord injury with something that tells you about injury severity and can hopefully predict neurological recovery,” says Dr. Tej Azad, lead study author.
Researchers found the test closely matched existing injury assessments and gave early clues about how much patients might regain. That information could help rehabilitation teams begin planning therapy and adaptive equipment sooner, rather than relying mainly on observation and trial‑and‑error. The test is experimental and not yet used to guide treatment. Larger studies and regulatory review are still needed.
Learn more about the study from Johns Hopkins Medicine.
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Leave a Reply