Each March, the Brain Injury Association of America recognizes Brain Injury Awareness Month, dedicated to raising awareness for individuals affected by brain injuries and their caregivers. Blue is the official color of the awareness campaign, symbolizing strength, resilience, and hope. 

Brain injuries are broadly categorized into traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and non-traumatic brain injuries (non-TBI). TBIs can be acute or progress into chronic conditions, increasing the risk of late-onset neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and dementia. Non-TBIs, on the other hand, result from internal factors like strokes, which disrupt blood flow and can cause both localized and widespread brain damage. 

In the context of TBI, advancements in imaging and fluid biomarkers are improving the ability to predict outcomes and identify high-risk patients in the acute phase. Additionally, the pathophysiology of chronic TBI shares key characteristics with neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease. 

Hytest provides high-quality antibodies and antigens designed to support the detection of critical biomarkers, including Aβ (amyloid-beta), NfL (neurofilament light chain), and GFAP (glial fibrillary acidic protein). These biomarkers play a crucial role in the development of fluid-based diagnostic assays for neurodegenerative diseases and TBI, contributing to advancements in early detection and research.

For more information, please visit our Neuroscience page