Abbott and MotoAmerica have announced a collaboration to implement a rapid blood test for evaluating concussions at motorcycle races. This partnership marks the first use of such a test by a professional sports organization.
Abbott's i-STAT TBI test cartridge, which runs on the portable i-STAT Alinity system, provides lab-quality results in 15 minutes. The test can evaluate patients over 18 who have a suspected mild traumatic brain injury up to 24 hours after an incident, determining the necessity of a CT scan.
"This is the first ever objective test that physicians have had at the point-of-care to assist in the assessment of concussions – it changes the game," stated Carl Price, M.D., chief medical officer for MotoAmerica. The test offers immediate, on-site evaluation, providing peace of mind for riders and medical staff.
The i-STAT TBI test will be available at all MotoAmerica races during the 2025 season, starting with the event at Michelin Raceway Road in Atlanta, Ga., from May 2-4.
"As both a neurologist and licensed physician, I know firsthand the limitations of relying on a subjective tool like the Glasgow Coma Scale in the assessment of brain injury," said Beth McQuiston, M.D., medical director in Abbott's diagnostics business. She emphasized that the test enables immediate assessment at the point of care, potentially speeding up appropriate treatment.
MotoAmerica races feature various safety measures, including airbags in rider suits and medical support on-site. Chuck Aksland, chief operating officer of MotoAmerica, highlighted the organization's continuous efforts to enhance safety. "Our use of Abbott's rapid blood test for concussion assessment furthers this commitment and will help us evaluate medical needs quickly and on location," he said.
The significance of this development comes against a backdrop of the National Institutes of Health identifying traumatic brain injuries as a major cause of death and disability in the U.S., with 2.5 million emergency visits annually for such injuries.
Abbott's test relies on a small blood sample to measure specific biomarkers indicating brain injury. If these biomarkers are not elevated, a CT scan might be unnecessary, offering critical information for patient care. The test was developed in part with support from the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command.
This step aligns with Abbott's aim to expand the availability of their tests across various settings, encompassing hospitals, clinics, and sports organizations with trained personnel. Further research is ongoing to extend this test's use for younger individuals.
MotoAmerica is sanctioned by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) and the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) and holds various classes of motorcycle road racing events.
Abbott's broad healthcare portfolio and global reach aim to support individuals' well-being worldwide, including innovations in diagnostics and medical technologies.
The i-STAT TBI test's development involved collaboration with the Transforming Research and Clinical Knowledge in Traumatic Brain Injury (TRACK-TBI) team, emphasizing its utility in clinical care for TBI patients.