Comparison of serum and saliva miRNAs for identification and characterization of mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) in adult mixed martial arts fighters

We evaluated the utility of serum and salivary microRNAs (miRNAs) to serve as sensitive and specific peripheral biomarkers of possible mTBI. Levels of miRNAs were obtained stranded small RNA-sequencing. Functional outcomes were evaluated using a computerized assessment system that measured cognitive performance, body sway, and combined cognitive performance and body sway during dual task completion. We identified a subset of salivary and serum miRNAs that showed robust utility at predicting TBI likelihood and demonstrated quantitative associations with head impacts as well as cognitive and balance measures. Overall design: Small RNA sequencing of serum and saliva in adult human subjects before, during, and after competition in an amateur mixed martial arts competition.