New Blood Test to Support Spinal Cord Injury Recovery

Fewer spinal taps.

University of Waterloo researchers have developed a blood test that can predict how well patients will recover after a spinal cord injury — potentially replacing the need for repeated, invasive spinal taps.

The test detects specific biomarkers in the blood that mirror changes in the cerebrospinal fluid, providing a safer and easier way to monitor neurological recovery.

By comparing the markers over time, clinicians can track inflammation, guide treatment, and predict patient outcomes.

“Routine blood tests could offer doctors important and affordable information to help predict risk of death, the presence of an injury and how severe it might be."

— Dr. Abel Torres Espín

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