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Updated: Nov 23, 2025
Systems Analysis of the Neuroinflammatory and Hemodynamic Response to Traumatic Brain Injury
Published on: May 27, 2022
MicroRNAs as potential biomarkers for the diagnosis of Traumatic Brain Injury: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Qian Zhou1, Jian Yin1, Yadong Wang1
1Department of Emergency and Trauma Center, The International Medical Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang Province, China.
Abstract:
Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a sudden trauma on the head, in which severe TBI (sTBI) is usually associated with death and long-term disability. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are potential biomarkers of diverse diseases, including TBI. However, few systematic reviews and meta-analyses have been conducted to determine the clinical value of miRNAs expression in TBI patients. Methods: We conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis study according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. We searched PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, from inception to August 26, 2020. We included articles written in English that have reported on the diagnostic value of miRNAs expression in TBI patients. We excluded studies that did not provided sufficient information to construct the 2×2 contingency table. Results: Eight studies investigating the diagnostic value of miRNA in TBI were analyzed in this study. The overall sensitivity, specificity and area under the curve (AUC) of miRNAs in diagnosis of TBI were 89% [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.84-0.93], 92% (95% CI 0.82-0.97) and 95% (95% CI 0.93-0.97). We found that panels of multiple miRNAs could improve the diagnostic accuracy of TBI. Samples from blood and brain tissue have significantly enhanced diagnostic accuracy, when compared with saliva. The AUC of miRNAs in severe TBI was 0.97, with 91% sensitivity and 92% specificity. Conclusion: This systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrated that miRNAs could be potential diagnostic markers in TBI patients. MiRNAs detected in blood and brain tissue display high accuracy for TBI diagnosis.
Insights
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) show promise as diagnostic biomarkers for traumatic brain injury (TBI). This meta-analysis confirms their high accuracy, especially when detected in blood or brain tissue, aiding in TBI diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Biomarkers and Diagnostics
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
Background:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI), particularly severe TBI (sTBI), leads to significant mortality and long-term disability.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are emerging as critical biomarkers for various diseases, including TBI.
- Limited systematic reviews exist on the clinical utility of miRNA expression for TBI diagnosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and meta-analyze the diagnostic value of miRNA expression in patients with TBI.
- To assess the overall accuracy of miRNAs as biomarkers for TBI.
- To investigate factors influencing diagnostic accuracy, such as sample type and miRNA panels.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review and meta-analysis conducted following PRISMA guidelines.
- Comprehensive literature search across PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science.
- Inclusion of studies reporting diagnostic value of miRNA expression in TBI patients, excluding those with insufficient data for 2x2 contingency tables.
Main Results:
- Eight studies were analyzed, revealing high overall diagnostic accuracy for miRNAs in TBI.
- Overall sensitivity was 89%, specificity 92%, and Area Under the Curve (AUC) 95%.
- Panels of multiple miRNAs and detection in blood or brain tissue significantly improved diagnostic accuracy compared to saliva. AUC for severe TBI was 0.97.
Conclusions:
- MicroRNAs represent a promising class of diagnostic markers for TBI.
- Detection of miRNAs in blood and brain tissue offers high accuracy for diagnosing TBI.
- Further research into miRNA panels could enhance diagnostic capabilities for TBI.
