What saliva says about stress
A salivary gland protein is an effective biological marker of human stress, according to new research led by Dr. Dean Befus, an AllerGen Research Leader and a professor of Pulmonary Medicine at the University of Alberta.
The research, published in June 2017, provides the first evidence that the protein known as calcium-binding protein spermatid specific 1 (CABS1) is readily detectable in human saliva and that its levels are influenced by acute psychological stress and feelings of negative mood or emotional distress. These findings may help to identify new ways to predict, diagnose and eventually treat stress-related conditions.