Danaher and Johns Hopkins University Collaborate to Improve Neurological Diagnosis

Image: Scientists will evaluate new blood-based biomarkers using highly sensitive technology (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Unlike severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), mild TBI often does not show clear correlations with abnormalities detected through head computed tomography (CT) scans. Consequently, there is a pressing need for a more reliable method to determine which patients should receive a CT scan and to identify those at greater risk of developing severe symptoms. Now, a new collaboration that aims to identify mild TBI earlier could help nearly 56 million patients worldwide with mild TBI benefit from a more accurate approach to diagnosis.

Danaher Corporation (Washington, D.C., USA) has entered into a collaboration with Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, MD, USA) to develop new diagnostic methods for mild TBI. This collaboration is part of the Danaher Beacons program, where Johns Hopkins researchers will utilize technology from Beckman Coulter Diagnostics, a subsidiary of Danaher, to establish correlations between between novel biomarker panels and clinical outcomes. The Beacon builds on recent advancements in neurological biomarker research and the application of next-generation immunoassay detection technologies developed by Beckman Coulter. Should this method prove successful, it could also be adapted to diagnose other forms of brain injuries and neurodegenerative diseases.

"Our latest in vitro diagnostics innovations are improving the detection of specific biomarkers found in blood when brain cells are damaged,” said Julie Sawyer Montgomery, Vice President and Group Executive, Danaher Diagnostics. “We are thrilled to partner with Johns Hopkins with the goal of leveraging these solutions to develop tests for earlier and more precise diagnosis of mild TBI, which could ultimately lead to improved treatment outcomes and faster recovery for patients."