Biomarkers are important because they help doctors understand how bad a brain injury is. Here are some simple ways they show what happens after a traumatic brain injury (TBI):
Signs of Brain Damage: Some markers, like S100B, GFAP, and NSE, can show if brain cells are hurt. When these proteins are found in high amounts in blood or spinal fluid, it means the brain has gone through a lot of stress or damage.
Inflammation: After a TBI, the body often has an inflammation response. Biomarkers like cytokines and C-reactive protein (CRP) can help show how much inflammation is happening. If these levels are high, it often means the injury is more serious and recovery might be tougher.
Changes in Energy Use: After a TBI, how the brain uses glucose can change. Markers like lactate can show that the brain isn’t getting enough oxygen, which usually means a more serious injury. A higher ratio of lactate to pyruvate can indicate the brain is under a lot of stress.
When and How Severe the Injury Is: Biomarkers can help doctors understand when the injury occurred. Some markers rise quickly after the injury, while others stay high for longer. This information helps doctors know not just how bad the injury is, but also how long it might take to heal.
Predicting Outcomes: By looking at several biomarkers together, doctors can get a better idea of what will happen next. They can use tools like the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) along with biomarker information to understand the injury better and guess the outcomes more accurately.
In short, biomarkers are powerful tools that help us learn more about TBIs. They give information about brain damage, inflammation, and energy use. This understanding helps doctors decide how serious the injury is and plan the best way to treat and support recovery.
Biomarkers are important because they help doctors understand how bad a brain injury is. Here are some simple ways they show what happens after a traumatic brain injury (TBI):
Signs of Brain Damage: Some markers, like S100B, GFAP, and NSE, can show if brain cells are hurt. When these proteins are found in high amounts in blood or spinal fluid, it means the brain has gone through a lot of stress or damage.
Inflammation: After a TBI, the body often has an inflammation response. Biomarkers like cytokines and C-reactive protein (CRP) can help show how much inflammation is happening. If these levels are high, it often means the injury is more serious and recovery might be tougher.
Changes in Energy Use: After a TBI, how the brain uses glucose can change. Markers like lactate can show that the brain isn’t getting enough oxygen, which usually means a more serious injury. A higher ratio of lactate to pyruvate can indicate the brain is under a lot of stress.
When and How Severe the Injury Is: Biomarkers can help doctors understand when the injury occurred. Some markers rise quickly after the injury, while others stay high for longer. This information helps doctors know not just how bad the injury is, but also how long it might take to heal.
Predicting Outcomes: By looking at several biomarkers together, doctors can get a better idea of what will happen next. They can use tools like the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) along with biomarker information to understand the injury better and guess the outcomes more accurately.
In short, biomarkers are powerful tools that help us learn more about TBIs. They give information about brain damage, inflammation, and energy use. This understanding helps doctors decide how serious the injury is and plan the best way to treat and support recovery.