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UC Engineers Advance At-Home Testing for Mental Health and Cardiac Biomarkers

University of Cincinnati researchers unveil lab-on-a-chip devices for rapid cortisol, DHEA, troponin, and COVID-19 testing, moving toward clinical trials to validate their effectiveness.

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Overview

  • The lab-on-a-chip platform enables rapid, non-invasive testing of cortisol and DHEA levels from saliva, providing objective data to aid in diagnosing anxiety and depression.
  • The device integrates with smartphones to transmit results in minutes, enhancing accessibility for at-home and point-of-care use.
  • High cortisol-to-DHEA ratios, measured by the device, are linked to chronic stress and mental health disorders, offering a more detailed physiological assessment.
  • Researchers have expanded the platform to test cardiac troponin for heart attack detection and COVID-19, demonstrating its versatility across health domains.
  • Clinical trials are the next step, with planned collaborations with psychiatrists to validate the platform's diagnostic accuracy and real-world utility.