Description
The measurement of alpha Amylase activity in saliva is useful in the field of psychobiology of stress.
Many studies have shown that the salivary alpha Amylase activity correlates with the Sympathoadrenal Medullary System (SAM) activity. Free salivary cortisol is an established non-invasive marker of hypothalamus pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis activity. Salivary alpha Amylase can also be associated with chronic stress, posttraumatic stress disorder, behaviour, cognitive function and health. Increases in salivary alpha Amylase can be elicited by SNS activating drugs, such as yohimbine and can be prevented by beta-blockers, such as propranolol.
