Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is cortisol?
What is cortisol?
Cortisol is the primary glucocorticoid hormone released by the body in response to stress.
What is the HPA axis?
What is the HPA axis?
The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis.
What is the name of the carrier protein that binds most cortisol in blood?
What is the name of the carrier protein that binds most cortisol in blood?
Cortisol binding globulin (CBG)
What are some of the physiological processes that cortisol controls?
What are some of the physiological processes that cortisol controls?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the name of the hormone that is secreted by cells in the hypothalamus when detecting a stressor?
What is the name of the hormone that is secreted by cells in the hypothalamus when detecting a stressor?
Signup and view all the answers
High levels of cortisol stimulate the release of more corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) and adrenocorticotrophin-releasing hormone (ACTH).
High levels of cortisol stimulate the release of more corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) and adrenocorticotrophin-releasing hormone (ACTH).
Signup and view all the answers
Cortisol levels are at their peak in the morning and at their lowest in the evening.
Cortisol levels are at their peak in the morning and at their lowest in the evening.
Signup and view all the answers
What are two conditions that can be caused by dysregulated cortisol levels?
What are two conditions that can be caused by dysregulated cortisol levels?
Signup and view all the answers
Children and adults exhibit the same variability in cortisol rhythms.
Children and adults exhibit the same variability in cortisol rhythms.
Signup and view all the answers
What are the most common methods of measuring cortisol levels?
What are the most common methods of measuring cortisol levels?
Signup and view all the answers
What are three advantages of using saliva as a sample matrix for cortisol measurement?
What are three advantages of using saliva as a sample matrix for cortisol measurement?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary challenge regarding the use of sweat as a sample matrix for cortisol measurement?
What is the primary challenge regarding the use of sweat as a sample matrix for cortisol measurement?
Signup and view all the answers
Interstitial fluid is a good indicator of cortisol levels in tissue, but it is more difficult to access compared to saliva or sweat.
Interstitial fluid is a good indicator of cortisol levels in tissue, but it is more difficult to access compared to saliva or sweat.
Signup and view all the answers
Microdialysis and mass spectrometry (MS) are both well-suited for point-of-care (PoC) detection.
Microdialysis and mass spectrometry (MS) are both well-suited for point-of-care (PoC) detection.
Signup and view all the answers
What are the four key advantages of monoclonal antibodies for cortisol detection?
What are the four key advantages of monoclonal antibodies for cortisol detection?
Signup and view all the answers
What are three advantages of using aptamers as capture molecules?
What are three advantages of using aptamers as capture molecules?
Signup and view all the answers
What are some of the advantages of using molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) as capture molecules?
What are some of the advantages of using molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) as capture molecules?
Signup and view all the answers
What are the two main emerging biosensing modalities for cortisol measurement?
What are the two main emerging biosensing modalities for cortisol measurement?
Signup and view all the answers
What are five characteristics of a biosensing strategy that should be considered for the development of a rapid or continuous cortisol biosensor in the future?
What are five characteristics of a biosensing strategy that should be considered for the development of a rapid or continuous cortisol biosensor in the future?
Signup and view all the answers
What are two major benefits of using microfluidics for cortisol biosensing?
What are two major benefits of using microfluidics for cortisol biosensing?
Signup and view all the answers
What are three examples of electrochemical techniques commonly used for cortisol sensing?
What are three examples of electrochemical techniques commonly used for cortisol sensing?
Signup and view all the answers
Lateral flow immunoassays (LFIAs) have gained significant popularity in recent years due to their ease of use, low cost, and power-free operation, making them suitable for point-of-care testing.
Lateral flow immunoassays (LFIAs) have gained significant popularity in recent years due to their ease of use, low cost, and power-free operation, making them suitable for point-of-care testing.
Signup and view all the answers
What are three advantages of using surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) for cortisol detection?
What are three advantages of using surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) for cortisol detection?
Signup and view all the answers
Quantum dots (QDs) are nanoscale structures exhibiting strong photoluminescence that can be easily modified with conjugate groups, leading to sensitive detection of various analytes, including cortisol.
Quantum dots (QDs) are nanoscale structures exhibiting strong photoluminescence that can be easily modified with conjugate groups, leading to sensitive detection of various analytes, including cortisol.
Signup and view all the answers
What are three examples of wearable technologies that are being explored for continuous cortisol monitoring?
What are three examples of wearable technologies that are being explored for continuous cortisol monitoring?
Signup and view all the answers
What are two key challenges associated with developing wearable biosensors for cortisol monitoring?
What are two key challenges associated with developing wearable biosensors for cortisol monitoring?
Signup and view all the answers
Microdialysis involves inserting a semipermeable hollow probe subcutaneously to continuously sample interstitial fluid, offering advantages such as minimally invasive procedure and continuous measurement capabilities.
Microdialysis involves inserting a semipermeable hollow probe subcutaneously to continuously sample interstitial fluid, offering advantages such as minimally invasive procedure and continuous measurement capabilities.
Signup and view all the answers
What are the two main challenges associated with the wider utilization of microdialysis for continuous cortisol monitoring?
What are the two main challenges associated with the wider utilization of microdialysis for continuous cortisol monitoring?
Signup and view all the answers
The future of cortisol sensing is moving toward rapid and dynamic quantification of cortisol levels, particularly for individuals with stress-associated endocrine diseases and disorders.
The future of cortisol sensing is moving toward rapid and dynamic quantification of cortisol levels, particularly for individuals with stress-associated endocrine diseases and disorders.
Signup and view all the answers
What are two major challenges associated with current cortisol measurement methods that need to be addressed in the future?
What are two major challenges associated with current cortisol measurement methods that need to be addressed in the future?
Signup and view all the answers
What are three areas of research and development that are being explored to improve cortisol monitoring in the future?
What are three areas of research and development that are being explored to improve cortisol monitoring in the future?
Signup and view all the answers
The development of microfluidic devices for cortisol sensing is likely to lead to the development of more affordable and accessible PoC devices for public use.
The development of microfluidic devices for cortisol sensing is likely to lead to the development of more affordable and accessible PoC devices for public use.
Signup and view all the answers
Rapid cortisol tests have the potential to be manufactured at a similar scale to COVID-19 testing solutions, while still retaining quantitation capability.
Rapid cortisol tests have the potential to be manufactured at a similar scale to COVID-19 testing solutions, while still retaining quantitation capability.
Signup and view all the answers
What are two challenges associated with utilizing continuous cortisol monitoring?
What are two challenges associated with utilizing continuous cortisol monitoring?
Signup and view all the answers
The future of cortisol sensing is moving toward personalized and precision medicine, where individuals can be empowered to take charge of their own health.
The future of cortisol sensing is moving toward personalized and precision medicine, where individuals can be empowered to take charge of their own health.
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Advancements in Cortisol Detection
- Cortisol, a glucocorticoid hormone, is released by the body in response to stress.
- The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis regulates cortisol secretion.
- Cortisol levels follow a diurnal rhythm, peaking after waking and decreasing at night.
- Disruptions in cortisol secretion lead to diseases like heart attacks and diabetes.
- Current measurement methods (mass spectrometry or immunoassay) are time-consuming and expensive.
Next-Generation Technologies
- Researchers are developing point-of-care (PoC) biosensors for rapid or continuous cortisol monitoring.
- Antibody-based immunoassays are a dominant PoC biosensor development strategy.
- Novel capture molecules (aptamers, MIPs) combined with technologies like microfluidics and wearable electronics enhance detection limits and specificity.
- Current technologies lack quantitative, rapid, and continuous cortisol monitoring options.
Cortisol Sampling
- Cortisol is present in various bodily fluids (e.g., saliva, sweat, serum, and interstitial fluid).
- Saliva sampling is non-invasive, but measures free cortisol and contains inactive cortisone.
- Serum sampling is invasive and measures total cortisol (free + bound).
- Interstitial fluid sampling is also non-invasive and offers a continuous measurement option.
- Sweat sampling is non-invasive and correlates well with serum cortisol levels.
Established Technologies
- Immunoassays (ELISA & RIA) are widely used for cortisol measurement but have cross-reactivity issues and variable performance based on the quality of the monoclonal antibodies used.
- Mass spectrometry (MS) is a high-sensitivity technique, but is expensive and requires specialized equipment.
Emerging Technologies
- Microfluidic devices offer rapid cortisol detection with miniaturization potential.
- Wearable electronics for continuous monitoring provide real-time cortisol levels.
- Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) is a label-free detection method that shows promise for point-of-care (POC) cortisol detection.
- Lateral flow immunoassays (LFIAs) are cost-effective and easy-to-use POC platforms.
- Quantum dots (QDs), combined with photoelectrochemical approaches, offer extremely sensitive and low-cost cortisol detection.
- Microdialysis allows continuous cortisol measurement from interstitial fluid, providing a continuous measurement profile.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Related Documents
Description
Explore the latest advancements in the detection of cortisol, a key hormone related to stress. This quiz covers the regulation of cortisol secretion, the impact of monitoring technologies, and the development of next-generation biosensors. Test your knowledge on current methods and their limitations.
