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Updated: Jan 27, 2026
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Induction of Diffuse Axonal Brain Injury in Rats Based on Rotational Acceleration
Published on: May 9, 2020
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Tau protein as a diagnostic marker for diffuse axonal injury
Keisuke Tomita1, Taka-Aki Nakada1, Taku Oshima1
1Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan.
Plos One
|March 23, 2019
Summary
Serum tau levels show promise as an early biomarker for diagnosing diffuse axonal injury (DAI) following traumatic brain injury (TBI). Elevated tau in TBI patients aids in early DAI detection.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biomarkers
- Trauma Research
Background:
- Diffuse axonal injury (DAI) is challenging to diagnose early after traumatic brain injury (TBI).
- Tau protein, localized in nerve axons, is a potential biomarker for neurological damage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate serum tau levels as an early diagnostic biomarker for DAI in TBI patients.
- To assess the accuracy of serum tau in identifying DAI within 6 hours post-TBI.
Main Methods:
- Serum tau levels were measured in 40 TBI patients suspected of DAI.
- Diagnosis of DAI was confirmed using MRI.
- Statistical analysis and ROC curve evaluation were performed on serum tau levels.
Main Results:
- Serum tau levels were significantly higher in patients with DAI compared to those without (P=0.03).
- The ROC curve indicated moderate diagnostic ability for serum tau in early DAI detection (AUC=0.690).
- Serum tau levels did not significantly correlate with patient outcomes at hospital discharge.
Conclusions:
- Serum tau may serve as a valuable biomarker for the early diagnosis of DAI in TBI.
- Further research is warranted to validate tau's role in TBI management.
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