Cortisol and Stress Measurement Techniques

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of cortisol as indicated in the content?

Facilitating muscle growth

Controlling blood sugar levels

Enabling an allostatic response to stressors (correct)

Regulating metabolism

What are potential consequences of chronically elevated cortisol levels?

Enhanced cognitive performance

Increased muscle endurance

Improved respiratory function

Reduced immune function (correct)

Which of the following methods is NOT mentioned as a way to measure cortisol levels?

Home blood glucose monitoring (correct)

Immunoassay

Point-of-care biosensors

Mass spectroscopy

What is a key drawback of traditional methods of cortisol measurement?

They require extensive training and are time-consuming. Signup and view all the answers

What emerging technology is highlighted for improving cortisol detection?

Quantum dots Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary hormone released by the body in response to stress?

Cortisol Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of cortisol in circulation is typically free and biologically active?

5-10% Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of cortisol monitoring is emphasized as needing improvement?

Quantitative testing for cortisol Signup and view all the answers

Which gland is stimulated by adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) to produce cortisol?

Adrenal cortex Signup and view all the answers

What factors are suggested to improve cortisol testing technologies?

Rapid testing times and relevant limits of detection Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary benefit of the new capture molecules mentioned for cortisol detection?

They improve specificity and limit of detection. Signup and view all the answers

What role does cortisol NOT play in the body during stress response?

Increases muscle mass Signup and view all the answers

What initiates the secretion of corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) in response to a stressor?

Cells in the hypothalamus Signup and view all the answers

Which mechanism regulates cortisol levels in the body?

Feedback inhibition Signup and view all the answers

Cortisol is primarily bound to which protein in the blood?

Cortisol binding globulin (CBG) Signup and view all the answers

What physiological process does cortisol NOT influence?

Increase of serotonin production Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Cortisol and Stress

Cortisol, a glucocorticoid hormone, is released by the HPA axis in response to stress.
It exhibits a circadian rhythm, crucial for allostatic responses.
Disrupted cortisol secretion leads to chronically elevated levels, linked to health issues like heart attack, stroke, mental health problems, and diabetes.
Accurate cortisol measurement is vital for diagnosing chronic stress and related disorders.

Measuring Cortisol

Current methods (mass spectrometry and immunoassay) are time-consuming, expensive, and fail to capture cortisol's dynamic rhythm.
A need exists for decentralized, rapid, and continuous cortisol monitoring.

Biosensors for Cortisol

Antibody-based immunoassays are currently the primary method for point-of-care biosensors' development.
Newer technologies like aptamers, molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs), microfluidics, wearable electronics, and quantum dots are improving detection limits, specificity, and measurement speed.
Quantitative tests, able to monitor cortisol rapidly or continuously, are necessary to support personalized stress management.
These improvements will leverage low sample volume, accurate detection limits, and rapid testing.

Cortisol's Role

Cortisol regulates various physiological processes, including gluconeogenesis, inflammation suppression immune response, and cognitive function.
These responses prepare the body for stressful situations.
Cortisol's release is regulated by a negative feedback loop, preventing excessive secretion.
About 90% of cortisol in blood is bound to proteins, making only 5-10% free and biologically active.

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Description

Explore the crucial role of cortisol in stress response and its circadian rhythm. This quiz examines the current methods for measuring cortisol levels and the advancements in biosensor technologies aimed at improving detection and monitoring. Understand the implications of cortisol dysregulation on health and the future of stress diagnostics.