Every year an estimated 2.8 million individuals sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Approximately 75% are classified as mild – yet the resulting effects are hardly mild. Although many people do not have visible physical signs, they develop disabling cognitive, psychological and/or behavioral impairments. Employment disabilities often go unnoticed or are misdiagnosed.

On February 14, 2018, the FDA signed off on a first-of-its-kind blood test. Up until now, physicians have had to rely on CT scans or MRIs to get a picture of the brain. Both are costly and not always reliable in diagnosing mild traumatic brain injuries.

The Banyan Brain Trauma Indicator (BTI) is a blood test that measures the levels of two brain-specific proteins which appear in the blood within 12 hours of the injury. Although it does not eliminate the need for observation and intervention from licensed medical professionals, this less-costly alternative decreases the likelihood of misdiagnosis and the resulting negative consequences.