Can a Blood Test Predict Concussion Recovery? New Research Points to Sex Differences

Blood tests may soon offer clinicians a clearer picture of how severely a concussion has affected an athlete—and how recovery might unfold—according to new research focused on adolescent patients.

A study published in the November/December issue of the Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation found that certain brain-related biomarkers present in the blood are associated with the severity and type of concussion symptoms experienced by teenagers.

Researchers also identified notable differences between male and female patients, suggesting sex-specific patterns in how concussions affect the brain.

“Our study builds on previous research suggesting that some brain-related markers may provide objective measures of brain injury in teens with concussion,” said lead researcher Mia Pasini, a doctoral student at Johns Hopkins University. “We also identify sex-specific differences in biomarker levels, which may lend insights into the more severe symptoms and longer recovery after concussion in girls and young women.”

The research team analyzed data from 339 adolescents between the ages of 11 and 18 who experienced concussion symptoms lasting up to five weeks. Blood samples were tested for five proteins and lipids known to be released from the brain following a concussion.

The results showed that some of these biomarkers tracked closely with symptom burden—but not in the same way for boys and girls. Among female patients, higher levels of biomarkers associated with brain cell damage were linked to increased emotional symptoms.

In contrast, male patients showed greater physical and overall symptom severity when levels of those same markers were lower.

“These findings suggest that sex may moderate the relationship between biomarkers and symptom burden in adolescents following concussion,” the researchers wrote.

The implications could be significant. Blood-based biomarkers may one day help clinicians objectively monitor concussion recovery and tailor care more precisely—an area where concussion management has long relied heavily on self-reported symptoms and clinical observation.

That’s where digital tools like Sway already play a role. While blood testing is not yet widely available in day-to-day concussion care, Sway provides objective, mobile assessments of balance, reaction time, and cognitive function that help clinicians track recovery trends over time. When combined with symptom reports and clinical judgment, tools like these can support more informed return-to-play and return-to-learn decisions.

Researchers emphasized that precision medicine approaches may be especially important for adolescent females, who are more likely to experience prolonged recovery and distinct symptom profiles, yet remain underrepresented in concussion research.

“Integrating biomarker-guided strategies into a precision medicine framework is especially important for adolescent females,” the researchers wrote.

As concussion science continues to evolve, studies like this highlight the growing emphasis on objective data—whether through emerging biomarkers or validated digital assessments—to improve care for athletes at every level. Read more here!