TeachableMedicalNews article 05292023
Teachable moment in classrooms:
- cellular basis of life chapter – intermediate filaments are part of the cytoskeleton
- nervous system chapter – neurons and astrocytes are cells of the nervous system
- brain chapter – meninges are protective coverings of the central nervous system
- cardiovascular system chapter – reabsorption during capillary exchange brings degraded proteins into blood circulation
- brain chapter – cerebrospinal fluid is absorbed into venous sinus
The news item: Recently the following report appeared online:
https://www.nbc12.com/prnewswire/2023/03/07/abbott-receives-fda-clearance-first-commercially-available-lab-based-blood-test-help-evaluate-concussion/?outputType=amp
The article states that a new blood test is available for patients who are suspected to have suffered concussion because of an impact injury, and that this test may help to find the patients who might need a CT scan for further evaluation. The test works by analyzing two biomarkers.
So, Why Do I Care?? Concussion happens frequently with over 2 million concussions occurring yearly in the USA. Whether it is from a car accident, from a fall, or from a collision at a sporting event, the consequence is impaired brain function. That comes with a price tag of over $40 billion per year medical cost and lost income in the USA.
Plain English, Please!!! First, let’s talk about what concussion is. An injury to the brain from a physical impact is called concussion. The symptoms can be a brief loss of consciousness followed by headache, memory impairment, loss of orientation, loss of cognitive functions, depression. The most dangerous aspects of concussion are the long-lasting effects.
Second, let’s talk about how the brain is injured by mechanical forces. While it is true that the meninges, the membrane-like covering of the brain, provide a moderate level of protection against sudden