血液检验预测脑震荡的严重程度Confusion is one symptom of a concussion. But confusion may also characterize decisions about how soon to let an athlete play after taking a hit to the head. Sizing up symptoms such as dizziness and nausea is subjective, after all. Now a study suggests that a blood test could objectively determine whether or not the damage is bad enough to put a player on the bench. The work is in the Journal of Neurotrauma.困惑混乱是脑震荡的症状之一。但这种困惑也有助于决定，当运动员头部遭受撞击后，多久可以回到赛场上。毕竟头晕、恶心等症状的轻重是主观的。现在一项研究表明，血液测试可以客观地确定受伤伤情是否严重到足以将一名运动员安排进替补席。该研究出自《神经外伤杂志》。A strong blow to the head causes chemical changes within nerve cells that damage their structural proteins. Among the debris is a protein fragment called SNTF—which in more severe cases, spills into the bloodstream.对头部的强烈冲击会引起神经细胞的化学变化，进而损伤其结构蛋白。碎片当中是一种被称为“SNTF”的蛋白质片段，在较为严重的情况下它会泄漏进入血液中。The new study followed 20 professional hockey players who got concussions with symptoms that lasted six days or more. And blood levels of SNTF were much higher one hour to six days later than were levels of the protein fragment in eight other athletes who had gotten concussions that cleared up within five days.Levels were also low in 45 non-concussed players tested during the preseason.这项新研究跟踪调查了20名职业曲棍球运动员，他们均遭遇过持续时间长达六天及以上的脑震荡症状。症状持续6天多的球员们血液中的SNTF水平与其他8位遭遇脑震荡后5天内就清理了的运动员比，SNTF水平相对较高。赛季前测试的45名未遭受脑震荡的球员，他们的SNTF水平也比较低。A blood test for SNTF might thus forecast recovery time from a head injury. Combined with other neurological tests, levels of this molecule could help doctors tell athletes when it’s safe to suit up again.因此进行SNTF血液测试，或可预测头部受伤的恢复时间。结合其它神经系统测试，这种分子水平将有助于医生判断，运动员何时可以再次整装出战。