Dear reader,

We currently appreciate a strong demand for studies, particularly from our sponsors and cooperation partners. Unlike most other CRO’s, we emphasize scientific consultation from the stage of planning throughout the clinical studies. In this process, our Scientific Advisory Board plays a key role. State-of- the-art information is essential for our sponsors. Thus, we will be launching a bi-monthly newsletter. We are confident that you will find this information of interest, and we invite dialogue regarding applications to your studies.

Cooperation with Salimetrics

The laboratory in Trier has been providing assays, particularly cortisol, to industrial and research groups for several decades. In January 2009, daacro established a close working relationship with Salimetrics, USA, the leading commercial producer of salivary assay kits. This exciting new partnership along with the availability of the newly developed stress diagnostic tool, neuropattern™, positions daacro as a highly sophisticated CRO with the ability to design and implement state-of-the art studies.

In addition, daacro is offering a broad choice of proficient saliva testing services for the following parameters: a-amylase, Androstenedione, Blood contamination, Chromogranin A, Cortisol, Cotinine, C-Reative Protein, DHEA and DHEA-S, Estradiol, Estriol, Estrone, IL-6, IL-8, Progesterone, 17a-Hydroxyprogesterone, Secretory IgA, testosterone, TNF-a. 

The advantage of measuring biomarkers in saliva is quite obvious: salivating is simple and effortless, minimally invasive and pain free, even for babies. Yet, this superior tool gathers important information for behavioral, social, and medically-focused research and delivers valuable information on pain, health, and stress.

Literature Update

Salivary cortisol is among the most prominent biomarkers of stress. However, some researchers misinterpret their cortisol data due to insufficient knowledge of endocrine biology. In a very recent paper, entitled “Salivary cortisol as a biomarker in stress research”, Hellhammer et al. (2009) described in detail different mechanisms, dissociating salivary cortisol measures from the activity of the respective releasing hormones, ACTH, blood cortisol, and target sites (Psychoneuroendocrinology, 34(2): 163-71). The paper illustrates the risks and highlights the expertise of daacro in guiding cortisol researchers.

Expansion of our study site at the Science Park in Trier

To cope with an increasing number of clinical studies, we have enlarged our department of biostatistics. Johannes Schult, MSc, a psychologist and statistican, is organizing this division competently and efficiently.

neuropattern™

neuropattern™ is the first translational diagnostic tool in stress medicine. Since it has proven to be valuable in identifying subgroups with discrete endophenotypes of the stress response, it demonstrates a specific advantage for clinical research studies. Thus, we recently integrated a new evaluation module, assessing these effects on outcome measures, such as symptom improvement, quality of life, and ability to work.

In addition, we offer individual stress diagnostics for physicians, psychotherapists, and patients. For more information on neuropattern™ stress diagnosis check, please visit our website at www.neuropattern.com, or contact us.

Studying treatment effects on resilience

Adaptation to stress does not only include activation of different organ functions, but it also mobilizes protective resources to keep the brain in an allostatic and the peripheral body in a homeostatic balance. Most studies on treatment effects focus on the inhibition of the stress response, and only a few are interested in exploring interventions to strengthen resilience. 

In a psychobiological pilot study in the Trier labs, for example, Silke Jost and Friedemann Gerhards observed that exposure to lavender significantly facilitated the relaxation process. We are actively engaged in such studies, and we now use a relaxation chair with a large variety of programs, called BrainLight®-Chair, which combines massage programs with music and deep relaxation over a headset and light impulses over glasses.

Relaxing with the stress researchers

Apart from their dedicated research activities, daacro employees and neighbors in Science Park Trier, are invited to use this relaxation chair for their midday break and recovery. According to studies, a powerful nap increases learning aptitude and capacity and helps to avoid stress and burnout.

daacro at scientific meetings– fairs - conventions

• Again, daacro will visit the Vitafoods in Geneva, Switzerland on May 5-6, 2009 to meet with sponsors and other cooperation partners.
• On the occasion of the NutrEvent in Lille, France, from June 17 – 18, 2009, daacros CEO Juliane Hellhammer will give a talk on ‘The Trier Social Stress Test – The Gold Standard in Stress Research’.
• At the same event, daacro will also present a poster, showing results of a study performed for Arla, Denmark, with the title ‘Effects on milk phospholipid on memory and psychological stress response’.
• In addition, several English and German speaking publications on ‘Stress and diabetes’ were submitted as well. Please let us know if you are interested in receiving more information upon release.

We would be happy to meet you. Please do not hesitate to contact us to arrange for a meeting at these events.

Just released: DAK Health report 2009

The DAK Health Report was released in February and in 147 pages outlined the state of the health and work disability in the German workforce. The analysis found a 0.1% increase from 2008 in employee illness with absenteeism due to psychological disorders increasing by 0.4%. Overall, psychological disorders made up 10.6% of employee illness in 2008 (women: 13.1%, men: 8.7%). Noteworthy, was the finding that compared with 2007, the number of days absent due to psychological disorders increased 7.9% - more than any other major disease.

Kind regards from Science park

Dagmar Heyd, Assistant to the CEO