Spitting might someday save your child’s life. Studies recently posted in JAMA Pediatrics (The Journal of 
the American Medical Association) show that a saliva test may someday be able to diagnose a concussion and predict how long symptoms last.
In the study conducted by Penn State College of Medicine, researchers found five small molecules called microRNAs in saliva. These showed a lot of potential for identifying concussive symptoms in children, teens and young adults. In layman’s terms, MicroRNAs influence protein activities throughout the body. They are easily measured in bio fluids, including blood, cerebrospinal fluid and saliva.
Dr. Steve Hicks, senior author of the study and an assistant professor of pediatrics at Penn State College of Medicine, stated , “five microRNAs in saliva could predict with approximately 85% accuracy which concussed children would have symptoms one month later. In comparison, standard survey measures that are typically used in clinics were approximately 65% accurate.”
Go to CNN.com for more of this interesting article.
