Clinical Laboratory Strategies: Innovative Biosensors for Detecting Traumatic Brain Injury Biomarkers Publisher



Niaki N M ; Alivirdiloo V ; Jafarzadeh S ; Jahani S ; Chaparzade S ; Koohkansaadi G ; Charsouei S ; Mobed A
Source: Sensing and Bio-Sensing Research Published:2026

Abstract

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) continues to be a major cause of disability and mortality globally, highlighting the critical necessity for accurate and timely diagnostic tools in clinical laboratory settings. Innovative biosensor technologies are emerging as essential solutions for recognizing key TBI biomarkers, providing superior specificity and sensitivity compared to conventional diagnostic methods. This review maintains a central focus on clinical laboratory strategies by examining how optical, electrochemical, and nanomaterial-based biosensors can be integrated for real-time detection of TBI biomarkers. Key biomarkers such as neurofilament light chain (NfL), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCH-L1), and S100B protein are analyzed within the context of biosensor integration, demonstrating their potential in predicting patient outcomes and aiding clinical decision-making. The article also reports challenges in the field, including assay standardization and regulatory approval needs for laboratory application, while emphasizing future research and development directions. By bridging the gap between biomarker discovery, biosensor technology, and clinical laboratory application, these innovative biosensor technologies have the potential to transform TBI diagnosis and management, ultimately enhancing patient care and outcomes. Copyright © 2026. Published by Elsevier B.V.