Blood test may spot CTE in living patients for first time
NCT ID NCT04928534
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This completed study analyzed blood samples from 120 athletes and patients with a history of repeated mild head injuries, along with healthy volunteers. Researchers used advanced genetic and protein analysis to find markers in the blood that could signal chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a brain condition linked to concussions. The goal is to create a diagnostic test that could identify CTE while people are still alive, which is not currently possible.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could lead to a simple blood test to diagnose chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in living people, which is currently only possible after death.
- What could go wrong
- This is an observational study, not a treatment trial. The biomarkers identified may not prove accurate enough for clinical use, and further validation is needed.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Participants
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120 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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May 2021
- Finished
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Dec 2023
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
Who is studied
* Athletes with rmTBI history. The subjects are active or retired athletes who have engaged in weightlifting, wrestling, judo, boxing or taekwondo. All of them have a clear history of rmTBI. * Patients with rmTBI history. The subjects have a history of multiple (≥2 times) exposure to brain trauma, and medical records in Tianjin Medical Insurance designated hospitals. * Healthy volunteers, without rmTBI history.
- Ages
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18 to 80 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Athletes and patients with traumatic brain injury * Age ≥ 18 and ≤ 80 years old with independent behavior ability or authorized legal representative. * Have a clear history of repetitive mild TBI, concussion or subconcussion. * The most recent head injury occurred 3 months ago. 2. Healthy Volunteers * Age ≥ 18 and ≤ 80 years old with independent behavior ability. * No history of repetitive mild TBI, concussion or subconcussion. * Fully understands the nature of the study, and voluntarily participates and signs the informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Athletes and patients with traumatic brain injury * Pregnant or lactating women. * History of other neurological diseases. * History of tumors, hematological diseases, severe cardiopulmonary diseases, hepatic failure or renal failure. * Have participated in clinical trials in the past four weeks. * The investigator believes that not appropriate for inclusion. 2. Healthy Volunteers * Pregnant or lactating women. * History of TBI or other neurological diseases. * History of tumors, hematological diseases, severe cardiopulmonary diseases, hepatic failure or renal failure. * Have participated in clinical trials in the past four weeks. * The investigator believe that not appropriate for inclusion.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Tianjin Medical University General Hospital
Tianjin, Tianjin Municipality, 300052, China
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.