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Study investigates new tool for identifying strokes
Agroup of UK researchers believes saliva may hold the key to early stroke identification.
University of Birmingham researchers are undertaking a study that will utilise saliva, blood and urine taken by
However, the GHoST study will
be the first of its kind to investigate whether other clues in the body may indicate stroke and rule out stroke-mimicking conditions such as seizure or migraine which constitute a large share of suspected stroke ambulance admissions.
scanning equipment, FAST is
the best diagnostic tool available, he said.
“Having a saliva test would be a massive step forward in pre-hospital diagnosis for stroke and help people to get the right diagnosis, to get to the right
“Having a saliva test would be a massive step forward in pre-hospital diagnosis for stroke and help people to get the right diagnosis, to get to the right hospital for the right treatment in the quickest time.”
paramedics from patients with suspected strokes.
Called the Golden Hour for Stroke (GHoST) study, it will analyse samples, taken from patients within the first hour of symptom onset.
It is already known that stroke- specific biomarkers circulate in the blood.
Dr Richard Francis, the Head of Research at the Stroke Association, which is funding the study, said rapid detection of stroke is greatly beneficial to patient prognosis.
Currently, paramedics in most countries rely on the Face, Arms, Speech, and Time (FAST) test to assess whether someone is having a stroke. In the absence of brain
hospital for the right treatment in the quickest time.”
The results of the study are expected to be released in late 2026.
According to the Australian Brain Foundation around 56,000 Australians have a stroke each year. A 2020 Deloitte report found the economic cost of stroke exceeds $6.2 billion in Australia.
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