Medicortex developing tools for rapid diagnosis of concussion

A typical example of a brain injury is a concussion that is caused by a hit in a hockey game. Image: Winnipeg Free Press.

In the United States, someone gets a brain injury on average every 15 seconds. In Finland, an estimated 40,000 people suffer from brain injury each year. 

Brain injury is often caused by traffic accidents or sports accidents. A typical example of a brain injury is a concussion that has occurred in a hockey game, for example. Rapid diagnosis and correct treatment are important in treating a patient with brain injury and preventing further damage. 

A Finnish-Israeli biotechnology company Medicortex Finland is developing a 

biochemical brain injury test, which would be easy to use and interpret.  

 In the preclinical studies of Medicortex, new biomarkers were found in samples 

of experimental animals with brain injury, which appeared in body fluids as a 

result of the biodegradation process caused by brain injury. The findings led to 

the patent application.

Higher clinical research is under way with three Finnish hospitals. The aim of the study is to demonstrate the clinical usability of the biomarker and, in particular, to determine its specificity.  The company has also designed a number of chemical compounds whose drug molecules prevent the damage of brain injuries.

Top 10 sports for concussions per 10,000 athletes. Image: D30 Impact Protection.