Diagnosis at a stroke

Paramedics will soon be able to confirm immediately from a blood sample whether someone has had a stroke, instead of having to wait for a brain scan. Proteome Sciences of Cobham, Surrey, has discovered protein patterns in blood that are unique to stroke victims. “You’ll only see elevation of these proteins in blood if someone has had a stroke,” says Christopher Pearce, the firm’s managing director. Proteome Sciences’ researchers discovered the proteins in fluid taken from the spinal columns of people who had suffered strokes, but later found them in their blood as well. Proteome Sciences has antibodies which detect…