Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 23, 2026

Quantification of the Immunosuppressant Tacrolimus on Dried Blood Spots Using LC-MS/MS

Quantification of the Immunosuppressant Tacrolimus on Dried Blood Spots Using LC-MS/MS

Published on: November 8, 2015

How and when to use dried blood spots in psychoneuroendocrinological research

Susanne Fischer¹, Ramona Obrist¹, Ulrike Ehlert¹

¹University of Zurich, Institute of Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Switzerland.

Psychoneuroendocrinology

|June 27, 2019

Abstract

Objective:

The term "dried blood spot" (DBS) refers to a sampling technique in which capillary whole blood is spotted on filter paper. Given the possibility to determine a wide range of hormones and related biomarkers in DBS, the method should be of interest to researchers in psychoneuroendocrinology. So far, however, the how and when of using DBS in this context have not been outlined.

Methods:

A review of the literature was conducted in order to describe the materials and procedures necessary to determine relevant biological markers from DBS (how to use DBS). In addition, a comparison of the DBS method with other sampling techniques was undertaken and examples of its previous use in psychoneuroendocrinology were provided (when to use DBS).

Results:

Both dyadic and DBS self-sampling are feasible, and a number of protocols are available to determine endocrine and immune, genetic and epigenetic markers. Decisions to use DBS instead of venous blood or saliva sampling should mainly be guided by whether it is sensible and feasible to determine the parameter of interest in whole blood obtained from DBS. In addition, DBS are well suited for large study populations with specific vulnerabilities, and for remotely located studies with budgetary constraints.

Conclusion:

Dried blood spots are a promising material as well as a simple sampling technique for psychoneuroendocrinological research. Future efforts should be directed at continuing to adapt existing serum and plasma analysis protocols for use with DBS, and at testing the feasibility of DBS self-sampling in field studies.

Keywords:

Dried blood spots Endocrine Epigenetic Genetic Immune Stress

More Related Videos

Dried Blood Spots - Preparing and Processing for Use in Immunoassays and in Molecular Techniques

Dried Blood Spots - Preparing and Processing for Use in Immunoassays and in Molecular Techniques

Published on: March 13, 2015

Dried Blood and Serum Spots As A Useful Tool for Sample Storage to Evaluate Cancer Biomarkers

Dried Blood and Serum Spots As A Useful Tool for Sample Storage to Evaluate Cancer Biomarkers

Published on: June 11, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Dry Friction

Dry Friction

Dry friction occurs between two solid surfaces in contact as they attempt to move relative to one another. In daily life, dry friction is encountered in various forms, such as when walking on the ground, sliding an object across a table, or rubbing hands together. Despite its ubiquity, the underlying mechanisms behind dry friction are not readily visible.
To illustrate this concept, imagine a wooden crate resting on a rough, non-uniform horizontal surface. When an external force is applied to...

Drying Shrinkage

Drying Shrinkage

When hardened concrete is exposed to air with a relative humidity of less than 100 percent, it begins to lose the free water within its capillaries. As this water evaporates, the water initially adsorbed onto the calcium silicate hydrates migrates towards these now empty spaces and eventually evaporates as well. Over time, as more water leaves, the volume of the concrete decreases, a phenomenon known as drying shrinkage.
A portion of this drying shrinkage can be reversed; if the concrete is...

Characteristics of Dry Friction

Characteristics of Dry Friction

Dry friction occurs when two solid surfaces slide against each other without any lubrication or fluid present. It causes resistance when pushing objects along a surface, like a gardener pushing a wheelbarrow. The force applied to move the cart causes dry friction between the wheel and the ground.
Before the wheelbarrow starts moving, the static frictional force acts tangentially to the contact surface, opposing the force that is about to induce the motion. This frictional force prevents the...

Washing, Drying, and Ignition of Precipitates

Washing, Drying, and Ignition of Precipitates

After filtration, the precipitate is washed to remove coprecipitated impurities and any remaining mother liquor. Colloidal precipitates, such as silver chloride, are washed with an electrolyte (such as dilute nitric acid) to prevent the peptization of the precipitate. In the case of slightly soluble precipitates, the wash solution contains a common ion to reduce solubility. Lead sulfate, which is slightly soluble in water, is washed with dilute sulfuric acid. Similarly, wash solutions may be...

Blood Flow

Blood Flow

Blood is pumped by the heart into the aorta, the largest artery in the body, and then into increasingly smaller arteries, arterioles, and capillaries. The velocity of blood flow decreases with increased cross-sectional blood vessel area. As blood returns to the heart through venules and veins, its velocity increases. The movement of blood is encouraged by smooth muscle in the vessel walls, the movement of skeletal muscle surrounding the vessels, and one-way valves that prevent backflow.

Composition of Blood

Composition of Blood

The blood in our bodies comprises three major components: blood plasma, formed elements, and the extracellular matrix. Blood plasma is a yellowish fluid that constitutes 55% of the total blood volume. It is primarily made up of water and essential substances such as electrolytes and proteins. Blood plasma serves as a medium for transporting blood cells and also contains nutrients, enzymes, hormones, antibodies, and gases.
Formed elements constitute the remaining 45% of the blood volume. These...

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Menstrual Cycle Informed Psychotherapy: Preliminary findings in Women with Spider Phobia.

Psychotherapy and psychosomatics·2026

Stress beliefs shape daily affective reactivity to social and work stressors: A 7-day ecological momentary assessment study.

Emotion (Washington, D.C.)·2026

Atlas of ticks (Acari: Argasidae, Ixodidae) in Germany: 2nd data update with focus on introduced and rarely observed species.

Experimental & applied acarology·2026

Early DNA methylation at the NGFI-A binding site of the NR3C1 1F promoter predicts cognitive functions at age five: Evidence from the Parents as Teachers intervention in the ZEPPELIN study.

PloS one·2026

Prognosis Prediction and Shared Decision-Making for Personalized Anticoagulant Therapy after Unprovoked Venous Thromboembolism: The MORPHEUS Project.

Thrombosis and haemostasis·2026

Moderate-to-good acceptability of smartwatch monitoring in head and neck cancer survivors: findings from the MOVE-1 feasibility study.

Frontiers in oncology·2026

See all related articles