Medicortex Finland Oyj

03/09/2026

28/08/2026

Slap Fighting and the High Risk of Head Trauma
Slap fighting has gained popularity in recent years, with competitions watched by millions online. Since 2023, Professional Power Slap has been promoted as a combat sport under the UFC umbrella. The sport features two participants taking turns delivering open-handed slaps to each other's faces. After each hit, competitors are given a few moments to recover before the match continues until a knockout or judges' decision. While its popularity continues to grow, so do concerns about the potential short- and long-term health risks. A team of neurologists recently reviewed footage from a televised professional slap-fighting competition. Their findings were concerning: approximately 80% of participants displayed at least one visible sign associated with concussion, including vacant stares, difficulty standing, coordination problems, vomiting, amnesia, or impact seizures. The study was based on a small sample and visible symptoms rather than medical diagnoses. Nevertheless, documented cases of concussion and craniofacial injuries among slap-fighting contestants highlight the potential for serious and lasting consequences. As the sport gains mainstream attention, these findings reinforce the need for greater focus on athlete safety, including better tools for identifying traumatic brain injuries (TBI).
Medicortex Finland Plc is developing a rapid diagnostic test for TBI that can be used at the point of care, including in high-risk sporting environments. For more information, visit www.medicortex.fi

24/08/2026

What do the data show about traumatic brain injuries in Sweden?

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains an important public health issue in Sweden, with approximately 300 cases/100,000 people and 10 deaths/100,000 people each year(1).

Age plays an important role in the incidence of TBI. People aged 85 and older have the highest incidence, and this rate has increased particularly rapidly over time(2). Falls are the leading cause of TBI, particularly among young children and older adults(3).

Another age group with a notably high incidence of TBI is 16–20-year-olds, where motor vehicle and bicycle accidents are important causes of injury(3).

The vast majority of TBIs, around 98%, are mild, often referred to as concussions. Despite being classified as mild, these injuries should not be overlooked. Effective prevention strategies are important, and when a TBI does occur, early detection and timely, appropriate care are essential.

Medicortex’s mission is to support the early diagnosis of mild TBI through a non-invasive, rapid test. For more information, visit www.medicortex.fi

References:
1) Magnusson BM, Isaksson E, Koskinen LD. A prospective observational cohort study of traumatic brain injury in the northern region of Sweden. Brain Inj. 2022 Jan 28;36(2):191-198. doi: 10.1080/02699052.2022.2034952. Epub 2022 Feb 5. PMID: 35125045.
2) Pedersen K, Fahlstedt M, Jacobsson A, Kleiven S, von Holst H. A National Survey of Traumatic Brain Injuries Admitted to Hospitals in Sweden from 1987 to 2010. Neuroepidemiology. 2015;45(1):20-7. doi: 10.1159/000381780. Epub 2015 Jul 18. PMID: 26201267.
3) Peloso PM, von Holst H, Borg J. Mild traumatic brain injuries presenting to Swedish hospitals in 1987-2000. J Rehabil Med. 2004 Feb;(43 Suppl):22-7. doi: 10.1080/16501960410023714. PMID: 15083869.

20/08/2026

Lived experiences of Iraq veterans highlight the importance of rapid diagnosis for mild brain injuries in service members

A recent news article in AP news detail the TBI experience of a Marine who fought in Iraq war. First, a blast from an enemy mortar round knocked him down. Despite a strong headache, he got up and kept going. Months later, a roadside bomb struck his Humvee convoy, and the explosion’s shock wave swept through his body. In the following days, he suffered from headaches and sleeplessness.

After coming back home to the US, he continued to have symptoms ranging from dizziness and migraines to forgetfulness. Recently, he was diagnosed with traumatic brain injury due to the events back in 2005.

Duties of service members continue to expose them to blasts where most soldiers experience traumatic brain injuries but return to duty. However, repeated brain injuries are known to increase the risk of long-term problems, most serious of them being a degenerative brain disease called chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

Experts mention that it’s essential for people to recover from a concussion before doing activities that put them at increased risk of another injury.

Medicortex is working on a solution to diagnose mild TBIs early, at the point of injury, with a rapid, non-invasive diagnostic test.

To learn more, please visit: www.medicortex.fi

Link to the news article: https://apnews.com/article/iran-war-traumatic-brain-injuries-troops-ba0137df7504abe6908557afeb2d9ebe

Military officials say the majority of American troops wounded in the Iran war have suffered traumatic brain injuries.

07/08/2026

Former professional rugby player David 'Jacko' Jackson’s career abruptly ended in 2013 due to a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Today, he is taking on a huge challenge: running 100 ultramarathons in 100 consecutive days to raise £1 million for brain injury charities in the UK.

Jacko shares that the road to recovery following a TBI is often difficult and very long, and too many individuals lack access to timely, proper care. He wants to give some hope to those who are suffering from a TBI and show them that there will be better days ahead.

At Medicortex (https://medicortex.fi), we are inspired by Jacko’s journey and commitment. His journey highlights the importance of TBI awareness, especially among athletes, early and accurate TBI diagnosis, and timely treatment.

Read his full story on BBC News: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1mykgp24kzo

David Jackson is running 100 ultramarathons in 100 consecutive days to raise money for charity.

04/08/2026

A Growing Concern in Contact Sports:

Sports-related concussion (SRC) is a form of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) caused by contact sports. In the U.S. alone, an estimated 3.8 million people experience an SRC each year. Because concussions often cannot be detected with standard brain imaging and may not present with obvious symptoms, many cases go undiagnosed. Continuing to play despite a concussion increases the risk of sustaining another concussion by approximately threefold. Repeated concussions are associated with serious consequences, like long-term neurological conditions such as cognitive impairment and chronic traumatic encephalopathy.
Early recognition and proper management of SRC is essential. Once an athlete is suspected of having an SRC, they must be immediately removed from play. Rapid initial detection ensures timely diagnosis and medical intervention.

Medicortex Finland is developing a rapid diagnostic test for the detection of concussions and TBIs at the point of injury, aiming to support faster, more objective decision-making in sports and beyond. More information: www.medicortex.fi

This post is for general information purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Athletes and sport participants should follow the concussion management guidelines of their respective sports organizations.

30/07/2026

Traumatic Brain Injuries in Military Service Members

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) significantly contributes to long-term health issues in the military service members. In the last 25 years, more than half a million of service members have suffered a TBI. Although most of these injuries were considered to be mild TBIs, also known as concussions, for some soldiers, these mild injuries can persist, accumulate, and significantly worsen over time.

When a mild TBI goes unnoticed, injured service members may return to duty too soon. This may impair their performance and judgment, increasing their risk of further injuries.

Repeated head traumas, even if they are mild, have been linked to long term debilitating conditions such as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), dementia, and other neurodegenerative disorders.

To reduce the risks, any service member exposed to a blast, fall, vehicle crash or head impact due to any other cause, should be evaluated for brain injury, even in the absence of visible head trauma.

Medicortex Finland Plc is developing a rapid point-of-care test to detect mTBI. Designed for use on the battlefield, the test aims to quickly assess whether a soldier is fit to return to duty.

To learn more, please visit www.medicortex.fi