EmotionEMJOYNCT07320040
Evaluation of Emotion-related Salivary Molecular Biomarkers
An observational study of Emotion, run by Sys2Diag at 1 site in France.
Trial summary
Recent studies show that emotional states can be discriminated by physiological responses. This physiological regulation results from the action of enzymes and hormones that represent the activity of the autonomic nervous system. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 60 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Emotion
- What is being tested?
- Identication and measurement of a molecular biomarkers signature
- How many people
- 240 participants
- Where
- 1 siteFrance
- Study dates
- 14 Nov 2022to 14 Jun 2027
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 60 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Study population: The population for this study will consist of healthy volunteers who meet the eligibility criteria.
Who may be able to join
- Subject willing to follow study procedures
- Subject able to understand the purpose, nature and methodology of the study
- Subject has signed informed consent form
- Subjects between 18 and 60 years of age.
Who cannot join
- Subjects deprived of liberty, protected adults, vulnerable persons or minors
- Subjects with a proven or suspected chronic infectious disease that could entail a risk of contamination during sample handling (laboratories not equipped to handle this type of sample)
- Rejection to sign the consent form.
- Non specific inclusion criteria:
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women
- Subjects presenting anosmia during the last 15 days
- Subjects presenting symptoms and signs of active oral inflammation, advanced periodontitis or severe gingivitis.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
France1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
SYS2DIAG - UMR9005 CNRS/ALCEN, Montpellier, 34184
Montpellier
Franck MOLINA, Phd, +33 (0) 467 047 460, s2d.cpp@sys2diag.cnrs.fr
Wendpouiré A OUEDRAOGO, Msc, +33 (0) 467 047 481, s2d.cpp@sys2diag.cnrs.fr
About this study
Official title: Evaluation of Emotion-related Salivary Molecular Biomarkers Following Olfactory Stimuli
Recent studies show that emotional states can be discriminated by physiological responses. This physiological regulation results from the action of enzymes and hormones that represent the activity of the autonomic nervous system. The measurement of specific biomarkers, using non-invasive biological tests in saliva, would therefore provide physiological data on an individual's emotional state in response to stimuli, particularly olfactory stimuli.
Read the detailed description
Recent studies show that emotional states (positive and negative) can be discriminated by physiological responses. This physiological regulation stems from the action of enzymes and hormones that represent the activity of the autonomic nervous system. The measurement of specific biomarkers (enzymes, hormones), using non-invasive biological tests in saliva, would therefore provide physiological data on an individual's emotional state (Giacomello et al. 2020) in response to stimuli, particularly olfactory stimuli.
The aim of the proposed research is to identify and measure a signature of molecular biomarkers in saliva, linked to emotions following one or more olfactory stimuli (e.g. cortisol and alpha-amylase concentration increase after stimulation).
- Conditions
- Emotion
- Being tested
- Identication and measurement of a molecular biomarkers signature
- Keywords
- Biomarkers, Stimuli, Related
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Identication and measurement of a molecular biomarkers signatureOther
Levels of the biomarkers of interest (DHEA, pg/mL; Oxytocin, pg/mL; Cortisol, pg/mL; Alpha Amylase, U/mL) will be measured in the saliva of participating subjects by enzymatic assay methods or ELISA-type methods performed using commercial kits.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Bras S Fragrance then placebo | Subjects will be subjected successively to fragrance and placebo stimulation. Receives: Other: Identication and measurement of a molecular biomarkers signature | |
| Bras P Placebo then fragrance | Subjects will be subjected successively to placebo and fragrance stimulation. Receives: Other: Identication and measurement of a molecular biomarkers signature |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Evaluate variations
Evaluate variations in several molecular biomarkers in saliva following fragrance stimulus/stimuli that may be linked to an emotionnal response (positive or negative).
Measured: 1 year
Secondary outcomes (5)
Identify a molecular biomarker signature
Identify a molecular biomarker signature in saliva following fragrance stimulus or stimuli.
Measured: 2 years
Evaluate basal values of biomarkers
Evaluate basal values of biomarkers composing the signature under normal, unstimulated conditions (intra-individual, inter-individual variations, circadian rhythm, age, gender...).
Measured: 3 years
Evaluate signature dynamics
Evaluate signature dynamics after stimulation
Measured: 1 year
Establish correlations between biomarker signatures and emotion ratings
Establish correlations between biomarker signatures and emotion ratings based on other criteria, such as questionnaires.
Measured: 3 years
Compare biomarker signatures
Compare biomarker signatures in response to different fragrance stimuli.
Measured: 2 years
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted6 Jan 2026
- Study start14 Nov 2022
- Primary completion14 Mar 2023
- Study completion14 Jun 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for EmotionStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Enrolment
- 240 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Sys2Diag
- Sponsor type
- Other government
- Collaborators
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, France
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Laurence MOLINA, Sys2Diag
- Investigators
- Laurence MOLINA, Phd, Principal investigator, Sys2Diag
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07320040
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2022-A02008-35
- Other IDs
- 22.03698.000189
- Acronym
- EMJOY
- Status last verified
- Jan 2026
- First submitted
- 19 Dec 2025
- Last updated
- 29 Jan 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Giacomello G, Scholten A, Parr MK. Current methods for stress marker detection in saliva. J Pharm Biomed Anal. 2020 Nov 30;191:113604. doi: 10.1016/j.jpba.2020.113604. Epub 2020 Sep 6.
PubMed 32957066
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 29 Jan 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Evaluation of Emotion-related Salivary Molecular Biomarkers Following Olfactory Stimuli
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07320040
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- EMJOY / 2022-A02008-35
- Conditions
- Emotion
- Keywords
- Biomarkers, Stimuli, Related
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 240 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Sys2DiagOther government
- Collaborators
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, France
- Study start
- 14 Nov 2022 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 14 Mar 2023 (actual)
- Study completion
- 14 Jun 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 6 Jan 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Recent studies show that emotional states can be discriminated by physiological responses. This physiological regulation results from the action of enzymes and hormones that represent the activity of the autonomic nervous system. The measurement of specific biomarkers, using non-invasive biological tests in saliva, would therefore provide physiological data on an individual's emotional state in response to stimuli, particularly olfactory stimuli.
Detailed description
Recent studies show that emotional states (positive and negative) can be discriminated by physiological responses. This physiological regulation stems from the action of enzymes and hormones that represent the activity of the autonomic nervous system. The measurement of specific biomarkers (enzymes, hormones), using non-invasive biological tests in saliva, would therefore provide physiological data on an individual's emotional state (Giacomello et al. 2020) in response to stimuli, particularly olfactory stimuli.
The aim of the proposed research is to identify and measure a signature of molecular biomarkers in saliva, linked to emotions following one or more olfactory stimuli (e.g. cortisol and alpha-amylase concentration increase after stimulation).
Study design
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Bras S Fragrance then placebo | – | Other: Identication and measurement of a molecular biomarkers signatureSubjects will be subjected successively to fragrance and placebo stimulation. |
| Bras P Placebo then fragrance | – | Other: Identication and measurement of a molecular biomarkers signatureSubjects will be subjected successively to placebo and fragrance stimulation. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 60 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
- Study population
- The population for this study will consist of healthy volunteers who meet the eligibility criteria.
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Subject willing to follow study procedures
- Subject able to understand the purpose, nature and methodology of the study
- Subject has signed informed consent form
- Subjects between 18 and 60 years of age.
Key exclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Subjects deprived of liberty, protected adults, vulnerable persons or minors
- Subjects with a proven or suspected chronic infectious disease that could entail a risk of contamination during sample handling (laboratories not equipped to handle this type of sample)
- Rejection to sign the consent form.
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women
- Subjects presenting anosmia during the last 15 days
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Identication and measurement of a molecular biomarkers signatureLevels of the biomarkers of interest (DHEA, pg/mL; Oxytocin, pg/mL; Cortisol, pg/mL; Alpha Amylase, U/mL) will be measured in the saliva of participating subjects by enzymatic assay methods or ELISA-type methods performed using commercial kits. | Other | Bras P Placebo then fragrance, Bras S Fragrance then placebo |
Primary outcome
Evaluate variations
Time frame: 1 year
Evaluate variations in several molecular biomarkers in saliva following fragrance stimulus/stimuli that may be linked to an emotionnal response (positive or negative).
5 secondary outcomes
Identify a molecular biomarker signature
Time frame: 2 years
Evaluate basal values of biomarkers
Time frame: 3 years
Evaluate signature dynamics
Time frame: 1 year
Establish correlations between biomarker signatures and emotion ratings
Time frame: 3 years
Compare biomarker signatures
Time frame: 2 years
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 29 Jan 2026.
- Background: PubMed 32957066Giacomello G, Scholten A, Parr MK. Current methods for stress marker detection in saliva. J Pharm Biomed Anal. 2020 Nov 30;191:113604. doi: 10.1016/j.jpba.2020.113604. Epub 2020 Sep 6.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Healthy Adult Participants
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Laurence MOLINA, Phd principal investigator
Sys2Diag
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Emotion, run by Sys2Diag at 1 site in France.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 7 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 29 Jan 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in France. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Wendpouiré A OUEDRAOGO, Msc (+33 (0) 467 047 481, alimata.ouedraogo@sys2diag.cnrs.fr), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Evaluate variations (time frame: 1 year). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07320040, which also lists 1 linked publication.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 29 Jan 2026.