Background: In the present study, a new assay for the measurement of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in human blood is described. The aim of the study was to present the characteristics of a new GFAP assay for blood analysis.
Methods: The method, a newly developed enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), was validated using blood samples from healthy blood donors and from patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Results: 22 out of 72 healthy blood donors had a detectable GFAP level. The reference values (percentiles) are as follows: P50=0.15 microg/l and P95=0.49 microg/l; range 0.15-0.76 microg/l.
Conclusions: GFAP in blood might be a promising new marker for astrocyte involvement after acute brain damage.