BATON ROUGE — Up to 60 LSU football players will participate in a landmark clinical research study this season that could transform how head injuries are detected on the sidelines.

Researchers are developing a rapid, saliva-based screening tool designed to spot concussions instantly, even before an athlete displays obvious symptoms.

The landmark project relies on a quick saliva swab collected directly on the sideline. Scientists analyze the saliva for shifting protein biomarkers linked to concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBI). If molecular red flags appear, medical staff can immediately pull an athlete from play for comprehensive evaluation, preventing cumulative brain trauma.

"Concussions and repetitive head impacts remain a significant concern for athletes, yet we still lack practical tools to detect and monitor brain injury early and accurately in real-world settings," said lead researcher Dr. Guillaume Spielmann, associate professor of kinesiology at LSU.

The initiative is backed by a competitive $250,000 grant awarded through the Collaboration in Action Program (CAP), funded by Championship Health Partners LSU and Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center.

It also marks one of the flagship projects under the newly formed Institute for the Health and Performance of Champions (IHPC). The interdisciplinary research team unites experts across several leading Louisiana institutions, including Pennington Biomedical Research Center and LCMC Health. 

The LSU player study is scheduled for completion in June 2027.