Blood-based biomarkers suggest prolonged axonal Injury following pediatric mild traumatic brain injury

Pediatric mild traumatic brain injury (pmTBI) affects millions of youth annually but underlying pathophysiology and time for physiological recovery remains unknown. Non-fasting plasma samples were obtained in 59 pmTBI (28 females; age 14.9 ± 2.7) at approximately 7 days and 4 months post-injury and in 41 matched healthy controls (HC: 20 females; age 14.3 ± 2.8). Samples were analyzed for GFAP, NFL, Tau, pTau181 and UCH-L1 protein concentrations in conjunction with a clinical battery. Significant effects of diagnosis (pmTBI > HC) existed at ~ 7 days (p < 0.001; Cohen's d = 0.72) and ~ 4 months (p = 0.015; Cohen's d = 0.41) post-injury for NFL. NFL was also elevated in pmTBI with significant alterations to mental status (e.g., post-traumatic amnesia) relative to patients without (p = 0.014; Cohen's d = 0.77). UCH-L1, GFAP and pTau181 did not differ between groups, but demonstrated negative associations with days post-injury (small to medium effect sizes) suggestive of a more rapid release/clearance. Post-concussive symptoms had the best diagnostic classification accuracy at ~ 7 days, but NFL ranked higher at 4 months post-injury. Preliminary findings highlight dynamic fluctuations in blood-based biomarkers in the first week of pmTBI, with ongoing evidence of protein release (NFL) at 4 months. NFL demonstrated additional promise for delineating injury severity within the spectrum of pmTBI.