Dementia and Art, Using Saliva to determine the benefits of the NGA Program
Interesting research from the University of Canberra, working with the NGA using a Salivary Cortisol Test to help determine the benefits of an Art Programme to improve the quality of life for people with Dementia
PhD candidate Nathan D’Cunha is working with the already established National Gallery of Australia’s Art and Dementia Program to assess the physiological and mental health impact it has on its participants
The full story can be read visa this link
People interested in participating in the study can contact Mr D’Cunha via email for more information
Cortisol (hydrocortisone, Compound F) is the major glucocorticosteroid hormone produced in the adrenal cortex. Cortisol is actively involved in the regulation of calcium absorption, blood pressure maintenance, anti-inflammatory function, gluconeogenesis, gastric acid, pepsin secretion, and immune function. Cortisol production has a circadian rhythm. Levels peak in the early morning and drop to the lowest concentration at night. Levels rise independently of circadian rhythm in response to stress. Increased cortisol production is associated with Cushing’s syndrome and adrenal tumors, while decreased cortisol production is associated with adrenal insufficiency (e.g., Addison’s disease) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) deficiency.
In the blood only 1 to 15% of cortisol is in its unbound or biologically active form. The remaining cortisol is bound to serum proteins. Unbound serum cortisol enters the saliva via intracellular mechanisms, and in saliva the majority of cortisol remains unbound to protein.
Salivary cortisol levels are unaffected by salivary flow rate or salivary enzymes. (10) Studies consistently report high correlations between serum and saliva cortisol, indicating that salivary cortisol levels reliably estimate serum cortisol levels.
The Salimetrics Salivary Cortisol Assay can be viewed via this link
Should you wish to discuss using minimally invasive Salivary Analysis methods within your research programme please contact Stratech Scientific here in Australia by e mailing us at: info@stratechscientific.com.au