Precision Diagnostics in Sports‐Related Traumatic Brain Injury: Pathophysiology, Biomarker Development and Emerging Technologies
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) sustained during sports activity represent a complex and heterogeneous spectrum of neuropathological conditions that remain underdiagnosed and often poorly managed, particularly in the amateur athletic populations. Traditional diagnostic paradigms, heavily reliant on subjective symptom reporting and clinical observation, lack the sensitivity and specificity required for early and accurate detection of mild and sub‐concussive injuries. This review fills a critical gap by synthesizing recent advances in precision diagnostic tools, including AI‐enhanced neuroimaging, blood‐based biomarkers, and wearable biosensors, which are reshaping the detection and monitoring of sports‐related TBIs. Despite significant research, diagnostic inconsistency persists, particularly in youth and amateur athletes. By integrating these converging technologies, a unified framework for earlier and more accurate detection as well as longitudinal monitoring, is proposed. Through a systems biology framework, the study evaluates the translational relevance of these tools in stratifying injury severity, monitoring recovery trajectories, and informing return‐to‐play decisions. Furthermore, the review addresses inherent challenges, including inter‐individual variability, lack of consensus on diagnostic thresholds, ethical considerations in youth, and collegiate sports and the need for large‐scale, sport‐specific normative datasets. Looking ahead, the synergistic application of AI and digital diagnostics offers a transformative shift in sports neurology and public health surveillance.
Source: Advanced Sensor Research
Authors: Daniel Nicol, Mohamed T. Patel, Debarati Bhowmik, Pola Goldberg Oppenheimer
Institutions: University of Birmingham, University of Cambridge
Language: English
Subfield: Epidemiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,750
OpenAlex ID: W4415172803