Evaluation of Emotion-related Salivary Molecular Biomarkers

Recent studies show that emotional states (positive and negative) can be discriminated by physiological responses. This physiological regulation stems from the action of enzymes and hormones that represent the activity of the autonomic nervous system. The measurement of specific biomarkers (enzymes, hormones), using non-invasive biological tests in saliva, would therefore provide physiological data on an individual's emotional state (Giacomello et al. 2020) in response to stimuli, particularly olfactory stimuli.

The aim of the proposed research is to identify and measure a signature of molecular biomarkers in saliva, linked to emotions following one or more olfactory stimuli (e.g. cortisol and alpha-amylase concentration increase after stimulation).

Inclusion criteria

• Subject willing to follow study procedures
• Subject able to understand the purpose, nature and methodology of the study
• Subject has signed informed consent form
• Subjects between 18 and 60 years of age.

Exclusion criteria

• Subjects deprived of liberty, protected adults, vulnerable persons or minors
• Subjects with a proven or suspected chronic infectious disease that could entail a risk of contamination during sample handling (laboratories not equipped to handle this type of sample)
• Rejection to sign the consent form.

Non specific inclusion criteria:

• Pregnant or breastfeeding women
• Subjects presenting anosmia during the last 15 days
• Subjects presenting symptoms and signs of active oral inflammation, advanced periodontitis or severe gingivitis.