Monash study finds blood test detects brain injuries from IPV

Concussion risk in sport is well known, but research finds it is likely more common for victims of intimate partner violence.

Victims of intimate partner violence often have higher levels of trauma to the brain than people who have a concussion in other settings such as sports.

That’s the findings of a world-first Melbourne study that also confirmed a blood test can show if someone has suffered concussion and non-fatal strangulation from intimate partner violence (IPV).

The research found a blood test may also detect hidden cases of brain injury in intimate partner violence patients. Picture: istock

Non-fatal strangulation describes when a person has survived having pressure applied over the neck, cutting off airways and restricting blood flow to the brain.

This new research comes as tougher laws to address family violence were introduced in Victoria this week that included criminalising non-fatal strangulation.

The government said perpetrators who strangled their partners faced up to 10 years behind bars, but the laws would not apply when it occurred in the context of sexual activity and consent was freely and wilfully given.

The researchers say the blood test may help detect hidden cases of brain injury in IPV patients.

Non-fatal strangulation describes when a person has survived having pressure applied over the neck, cutting off airways and restricting blood flow to the brain. Picture: istock

Led by Monash University, it showed blood tests used to identify concussion from sports injuries can be applied to those who have suffered brain trauma at the hands of an intimate partner.

Co-first author Georgia Symons, from the Monash Department of Neuroscience, said it could also help improve healthcare for patients.

Dr Symons said in the small study the team found patients who had suffered IPV had the worst brain injury biomarkers and symptoms.

She said the blood tests picked up a specific protein that was only released when the brain suffered trauma.

“It usually peaks later so it was interesting to see it peaking in these patients within 72 hours,” she said.

Often a brain injury can be missed even though it is a common consequence of intimate partner violence. Photo: iStock

“That’s not typical. Our thinking is that potentially these victim-survivors may have had some cumulative damage in the days or weeks leading up, and that may have contributed to that early elevation. We still need to do more research with that.”

The findings were published in the journal Brain, Behaviour, and Immunity.

“For those patients getting medical attention, oftentimes the brain injury can be missed even though it is a common consequence,” Dr Symons said.

“One study suggests that up to 90 per cent of people that experience physical violence have had some form of insult to the brain.”

The researchers found physical attacks during IPV often targeted the head and neck, which made brain injury one of the most significant health challenges.

She said other obvious injuries like a broken arm may take precedence in a healthcare setting, or with social workers organising emergency housing and childcare.

Dr Symons said while concussion was commonly discussed in sports, IPV-related concussion was likely more common.

“People know the risk of getting a brain injury playing sports, but what’s become clear in talking to people who have suffered IPV is that there’s not much understanding about the fact that they have experienced some injury to the brain and there may be long term effects.”

The study’s senior author Professor Sandy Shultz, from the Translational Medicine’s Department of Neuroscience, said physical attacks during IPV often targeted the head and neck, which made brain injury one of the most significant health challenges.

One in four Australian women have experienced IPV, which is the leading cause of preventable death, disability and illness in those aged 15-44

The team recruited eight women women and two men in Victoria for the study and found almost half had experienced a combination of strangulation and concussion.

One in four Australian women have experienced IPV, which is the leading cause of preventable death, disability and illness in those aged 15-44. The researchers said head and neck injuries were the most common.

“What’s unique about concussions in IPV is that they frequently occur alongside strangulation and are highly repetitive, potentially worsening the brain injury and patient outcomes,” Professor Shultz said.

The team hopes to do a larger study with collaborators in Queensland and Tasmania.

IF YOU OR ANYONE YOU KNOW NEEDS HELP

Safe Steps 1800 015 188

1800 RESPECT: 1800 737 732

Lifeline: 13 11 14

Family Violence Crisis and Support Service on 1800 608 122

National Violence and Abuse Trauma Counselling and Recovery Service on 1800 FULLSTOP (1800 385 578). They also have a specific line for the LGBTIQA+ community called the Rainbow Sexual, Domestic and Family Violence Helpline on 1800 497 212

In an emergency, call triple-0

If you can’t get to a phone, ask someone else to do it for you

Originally published as Monash study finds blood test detects brain injuries from IPV