Researchers have found saliva testing identifies concussions more accurately than standard procedures currently used by most physicians, according to NPR.
Here are five things to know:
1. The test has been nearly 90 percent accurate in identifying concussions in children and adolescents.
2. Standard concussion tests are accurate less than 70 percent of the time.
3. Patients' saliva is tested in a lab as part of the process and results are returned to the family the next day.
4. Certain micoRNAs found in spit help predict how long symptoms will last and which are most likely to impact the patients in the first place.
5. Manish Bhomia, PhD, of Bethesda, Md.-based Uniformed Serves University of the Health Sciences believes blood samples would be a more effective place to measure microRNAs than saliva.
More articles on sports medicine:
Drs. Glenn Terry & James Andrews performing stem cell treatments — 7 things to know
Dr. James Andrews plays a big role in NFL Draft — 4 details
Dr. Keith Meister examines Texas Rangers pitcher Cole Hamels — 5 insights