New method to diagnose concussions could lead to breakthrough in the NHL

PUBLICATION

Sam Hutch
August 3, 2024 (10:12)

SHARE THIS STORY

Concussions have long been an issue in the NHL, but there's a new test that could help protect players and diagnose the head injuries properly.

We've seen a lot of holes in how the National Hockey League is able to diagnose and treat concussions in recent years, especially because players either don't know or don't want to disclose when they don't feel right, but a major breakthrough could be right around the corner.

According to Fluto Shinzawa of The Athletic, the breakthrough could come in the form of an FDA approved blood test that could get rid of the «gray areas» around concussions as a whole.

Could an FDA-approved blood test help the NHL close gray areas in its concussion protocol?

As The Athletic has pointed out, there have been plenty of holes in the current process to spot and diagnose concussions like when Brad Marchand had a concussion in the series against the Florida Panthers in the playoffs this year and he still played 15 more shifts.

According to the NHL's Concussion Evaluation and Management Protocol, a player shall be removed from the ice and taken to a distraction-free environment for concussion evaluation if, among other things, he has a blank or vacant look or is slow to get up. If the player complains of symptoms such as feeling slowed down or not feeling right, he must undergo evaluation.

These are subjective observations and symptoms. Furthermore, the protocol acknowledges such symptoms are not necessarily unique to concussions.

As for the evaluation, part of the process is for the player to complete the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool � 5th Edition (SCAT5). Components include recalling the date, repeating a five- or 10-word series and reciting the months in reverse order. It is a comprehensive test.

The blood test would eliminate the guessing game when it came to head injuries.

A player suspected of having a concussion has blood drawn via a syringe. Several drops of blood are entered into a cartridge. The cartridge is inserted into a device that resembles a supermarket scanner. The device determines whether UCH-L1 and GFAP levels are elevated or not. If it's the former, the player has likely suffered a concussion.

If the NHL decided to adopt these kinds of tests for concussions, it could not only lead to detection right after a concussion is sustained but possibly help prevent further damage in game like we see currently.

Source - The Athletic

Could an FDA-approved blood test help NHL close gray areas in its concussion protocol?