How a blood test can aid spinal cord injury recovery

A University of Waterloo study shows that simple, routine blood samples can help predict the severity and outcomes of spinal cord injuries. Using machine learning to analyze data from more than 2,600 U.S. patients, researchers discovered that patterns in common blood measurements, like electrolytes and immune cells, reveal early signs of recovery and mortality risk. The models proved accurate within one to three days after hospital admission, often outperforming standard neurological assessments, which can be unreliable. Accuracy improved as more tests became available, showing the value of tracking changes over time. Because routine blood tests are inexpensive and widely accessible, the findings could help doctors make faster, better-informed decisions about treatment and resource allocation in intensive care. The study was published in NPJ Digital Medicine.