title: Use of biomarkers for diagnosis and management of traumatic brain injury patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Advances in the understanding of human biochemistry and physiology have provided insight into new pathways by which we can understand traumatic brain injury (TBI). Increased sophistication of laboratory techniques and developments in the field of proteomics has led to the discovery and rapid detection of new biomarkers not previously available.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To review recent advances in biomarker research for traumatic brain injury, describe the features of the ideal biomarker and to explore the potential role of these biomarkers in improving clinical management of brain injured patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Through a literature review of recent research on TBI biomarkers and through experience with TBI research, important elements of biomarker development are described together with potential applications to patient care.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TBI biomarkers could have a significant impact on patient care by assisting in the diagnosis, risk stratification and management of TBI. Biomarkers could provide major opportunities for the conduct of clinical research, including confirmation of injury mechanism(s) and drug target identification. Continuing studies by the authors' group are now being conducted to elucidate more fully the relationships between new biomarkers and severity of injury and clinical outcomes in all severities of TBI patients.
authors.affiliation: Director of Academic Clinical Research Orlando Regional Medical Center, Department of Emergency Medicine, 86 W. Underwood (S-200), Orlando, FL 32806, USA +1 407 237 6329 ; +1 407 649 3083 ; lpstat@aol.com.
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Papa
authors.forename: Gillian
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Oli
authors.forename: Jose
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pineda
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Demery
authors.forename: Gretchen
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Brophy
authors.forename: Steve A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Robicsek
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gabrielli
authors.forename: Claudia S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Robertson
authors.forename: Kevin K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Ronald L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Hayes