Biomarkers for Concussions: Legal Implications

Concussions, also known as mild traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), are a growing public health problem. In response, scientists have made significant progress in identifying biomarkers of concussion susceptibility and effect. Biomarkers of effect may interact with biomarkers of susceptibility such as genetics and previous brain injuries, as well as confounding factors such as sex, age, and ethnicity. Development of these biomarkers of effect and susceptibility raise a number of legal applications and issues that will be briefly surveyed in this article, focusing on sports-related concussion risks.