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Job Title
Research Assistant II
Academic Rank
Staff/Research Assistant
Department
Medicine
Authors
Jessica Love, Meneena Bright, Christopher Cano, Lawrence Epstein, Jacqueline Lane
Principal Investigator
Jacqueline Lane
Categories
Tags
Solidphase and Salimetrics are two companies providing saliva melatonin analysis for researchers and clinicians. Solidphase has been said to be more accurate, whereas Salimetrics is less demanding. Salimetrics has updated their technology, therefore we decided to test both companies head-to-head for DLMO assays. Each participant (N=4) collected saliva samples starting 6 hours before their self-reported habitual bedtime and 2 hours after, for a total of 9 samples over 8 hours. To ensure there was enough saliva for both assays, each sample was collected approximately 10 minutes apart, with the Salimetrics samples taken first followed by Solidphase. To obtain a dim-light environment to facilitate accurate saliva sample collection, participants used materials provided by the Circadia Study. Both companies were able to measure melatonin concentrations in all saliva samples (range <0.5 – 34 pg/ml). DLMO measurements across companies were within 30 minutes of each other (avg.= 18.5 min.) The per sample cost for Solidphase was $20.63 whereas Salimetrics was $21.00. Overall, we found no clinically significant differences in DLMOs assayed by Solidphase vs. Salimetrics. The Salimetrics assay kit is a streamlined process amenable to clinical use, although more rigor is needed in their provided instructions.
Solidphase and Salimetrics are two companies providing saliva melatonin analysis for researchers and clinicians. Melatonin analysis is required for diagnosing circadian rhythm disorders. Solidphase is known to be more accurate, whereas Salimetrics is less demanding. Salimetrics has updated their technology, therefore we decided to test both companies head-to-head. Each participant (N=4) collected saliva samples starting 6 hours before their self-reported habitual bedtime and 2 hours after, for a total of 9 samples over 8 hours. To ensure there was enough saliva for both assays, each sample was collected approximately 10 minutes apart, with the Salimetrics taken first followed by Solidphase. To obtain a dim-light environment to facilitate accurate saliva sample collection, participants used materials provided by the Lane Lab from kits used in their Circadia Pilot study. Both companies were able to measure melatonin concentrations in all saliva samples. DLMO measurements across companies were within 30 minutes of each other (avg.= 18.5 min.) The per sample cost for Solidphase was $20.63 whereas Salimetrics was $21.00. Overall, we found no clinically significant differences in DLMOs assayed by Solidphase vs. Salimetrics. The Salimetrics seems more appropriate for clinical purposes, but their instruction packet needs to be updated.
