NeuroScience, Inc. and Pharmasan Labs Announce Publication of Noninvasive Serotonin Assay for Depression

NeuroScience, Inc. and Pharmasan Labs Announce Publication of Noninvasive Serotonin Assay for Depression

OSCEOLA, Wis., Dec 19, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- NeuroScience, Inc., the leader in neurotransmitter testing, and Pharmasan Labs, Inc., a CLIA-accredited diagnostic laboratory, announce the publication of a peer-reviewed article in Analytical and Bioanalytical Biochemistry.

In the paper, "Evaluation of a novel ELISA for serotonin: urinary serotonin as a potential biomarker for depression", Dr. Mikaela Nichkova and co-investigators report on the development of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) that measures the neurotransmitter, serotonin.

Neurotransmitters are biochemical signals released by the nervous system, allowing communication with other body systems. These signals are necessary for controlling all body functions (breathing, digestion, etc.) and regulating responses (emotions, learning, etc.) to environmental triggers. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter involved in the regulation of mood, appetite, sleep, learning, and cognitive function.

"Depression is a common disorder frequently associated with low serotonin levels," stated NeuroScience founder and CEO, Dr. Gottfried Kellermann, the paper's senior author. "To help clinicians understand the link between patient's symptoms and low serotonin, we developed this noninvasive test that measures serotonin in urine. Easy identification of low serotonin levels allows clinicians to quickly determine the appropriate course of treatment for a specific condition."

Key findings of the study:

-- Good correlation was observed between urinary serotonin levels measured by ELISA and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.

-- There was a good correlation between "spot" urine collection (a urine sample collected two hours after waking) and pooled 24 hour urine.

-- Serotonin levels detected in depressed patients were significantly lower (p < 0.001) than in nondepressed subjects.

-- Urinary excretion of serotonin in depressed individuals significantly increased after antidepressant treatment by 5-hydroxytryptophan and/or selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (p < 0.01).

The article appears in the December 9 issue of Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, one of the top 10 journals in the subject category "Analytical Chemistry".

About NeuroScience, Inc.:

NeuroScience, Inc., established in 1999, is devoted to medical solutions that improve health by providing novel laboratory assessments and products in the emerging field of Neuro-Endo- Immunology. The company is research and education-focused and has a database of results from over 500,000 patients.

About Pharmasan Labs, Inc.:

Pharmasan Labs is a state-of-the-art specialty reference laboratory specializing in Clinical Neurology, Endocrinology, and Immunology testing. Pharmasan Labs' comprehensive test menu, specialty offerings, state of the art facility, and wide-ranging services are tailored to support the needs of research institutions and healthcare businesses including their providers and patients. Pharmasan Labs is certified by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments program (CLIA ID# 50D0914898) and New York State Department of Health (PFI# 17426).

SOURCE: NeuroScience, Inc.



NeuroScience, Inc.
Sirid Kellermann, 888-342-7272
Executive Vice President
[email protected]