Blood test may predict dangerous brain swelling after head trauma
NCT ID NCT00178659
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study looked at blood and saliva samples from 260 people, including those with traumatic brain injuries, to find protein markers that appear before dangerous pressure builds up inside the skull. The goal is to see if a simple blood test could warn doctors early. No treatment was tested—this was purely an observation and discovery study.
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 that warns doctors when brain pressure is about to rise after a head injury.
- What could go wrong
- This is an observational study, not a treatment trial. It only looks for markers; it does not test any therapy. The results may not lead to a usable test.
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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260 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Aug 2004
- Finished
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Jun 2026
- 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
Consenting healthy volunteers, head trauma, mild head trauma or acute orthopedic injury patients meeting enrollment criteria listed below.
- Ages
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14 to 65 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: * 14-65 years old * Non-penetrating brain injury * ICP monitor or * Healthy volunteer or The orthopedic injury cohort will include patients admitted to the ED able to provide informed consent with the following: 1. Fracture confirmed radiographically 2. No head trauma 3. No other known inflammatory process or infection 4. No history of neurological or psychiatric disorders or alcohol or drug dependency. or The mild TBI patients will be defined as those experiencing, 1. Non-penetrating head trauma manifesting one or more of the following: * Loss of consciousness * Post-traumatic amnesia * Altered mental status * Focal neurologic deficits, seizure 2. GCS\> 12 3. No abnormalities on CT other than contusion 4. No operative Lesions 5. Length of hospital stay \< 48 hrs 6. No other known inflammatory process or infection 7. No history of neurological or psychiatric disorders or alcohol or drug dependency Exclusion Criteria: * Inability to obtain informed consent
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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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The University of Texas, Houston
Houston, Texas, 77030, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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