Test STRESS

DNA self-sampling test through buccal mucosa sampling, obtained by rubbing the end of the swab provided on the inner surface of the cheeks. It is necessary to avoid contact of the swab with other parts of the oral cavity (tongue, palate, teeth) and it is necessary to avoid an excessive collection of saliva which can affect the extraction of the biological material from which the DNA is obtained. The mouth must be clean, therefore the sampling must be performed when food and substances such as coffee, tea, syrup or effervescent drugs, mouthwashes, cigarette smoke have not been introduced into the mouth for at least 30 minutes.

Stress is a state of physical and mental tension activated by a typical adaptation reaction of the body to a physical or psychic change. Stress, if not adequately controlled, can lead to psychological problems, reduce the state of well-being and increase the risk of developing serious diseases (cardiovascular, neurodegenerative diseases, etc.). Thanks to this DNA test, it is possible to know how the organism is able to prepare the response to stressful factors and, thanks to this information, to plan a personalized path that will help to reach one's goals in an easier and faster way and above all to maintain the results achieved.

GENES ANALYZED

SCIENTIFIC DESCRIPTION OF THE ANALYZED GENES

Catecholamines (adrenaline, noradrenaline and dopamine), are hormones secreted by the medullary component of the adrenal gland and some nerve endings (noradrenaline). These two hormones intervene in the adrenergic reaction called "fight or flight", or fight or run away. This reaction has the purpose of preparing the body for an important psychophysical effort in a very short time, as a response to a potentially dangerous situation. The action of these hormones is implemented by facilitating the use of muscle energy substrates, increasing the energy supply to vital organs and facilitating the reconstruction of energy reserves. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that plays a fundamental role in the control of mental and motor functions, such as the regulation of attention, mood, memory, learning and movement. Dopamine is also believed to be involved in states of motivation, reward, and reinforcement.

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that regulates numerous functions of the brain, which influence a wide range of organic activities. In particular, serotonin is known for its ability to promote good mood and tranquility. Part of the serotonin produced by our body is converted by the pineal gland into melatonin, the hormone that controls the sleep cycle. For this reason, an alteration in the control of serotonin levels is also related to insomnia and other sleep disorders. Serotonin is also involved in the mechanism that regulates appetite, its increase in fact decreases the desire to eat food (anorectic effect). With reference to the latter point, it is believed that serotonin:
• determines an early onset of the satiety signal;
• reduces the palatability of food and the total amount of food ingested;
• reduce the ingestion of carbohydrates and increase the ingestion of proteins;
• does not affect fat intake and meal frequency.

The MAOA gene is located on the short arm of the X chromosome and encodes monoamine oxidase A, an enzyme essential for the inactivation of monoamine neurotransmitters: serotonin, noradrenaline and dopamine. The rs6323 variant, located in the regulatory region of the gene, involves a change in gene expression and enzymatic efficiency.

The SLC6A4 gene encodes a high affinity transporter for serotonin that removes serotonin in the presynaptic space (re-uptake), regulating its activity. In humans there is a functional polymorphism in the promoter of the gene (rs25531) which determine a variability of gene expression of 30-40%.

Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) is an enzyme that together with monoamine oxidase (MAO) degrades catecholamines. COMT is responsible for the catalysis of the first step of catecholamine degradation and is one of the main enzymes involved in dopamine metabolism. A polymorphism is known (rs4680 G> A) which involves the replacement of the amino acid Valine with the amino acid Methionine in position 158, modulating the activity of the enzyme.