Clinical assessment tools for concussion in adults

Clinical assessment tools have important roles in the identification of concussion as well as the characterization of problematic residual symptoms and impairments. Research into blood-based biomarkers such as GFAP, UCH-L1, tau, neurofilament light, and S100B aims to improve the rapid diagnosis and risk stratification of adult concussion, but no single marker is yet accurate enough for standalone clinical use. Cognitive assessment remains central to concussion identification, and brief sideline tools have been validated to assist in this process. Standardized acute assessment tools like SCAT6, MACE, and related protocols emphasize multimodal evaluation. Motor and ocular-based tools such as VOMS, SCOAT6, and the Buffalo Concussion Physical Examination are available to further assess vestibular, visual, and autonomic dysfunction, helping guide prognosis, referrals, and recovery monitoring. When more comprehensive evaluation is needed for the characterization of cognitive residuals or to aid in the differential diagnosis of subjective difficulties, computerized or traditional neuropsychological testing incorporating symptom scales and validity measures may be utilized.