Emotions From Salivary Biomarkers in an Architectural Context (Archi'Motion)

Evaluation of Emotions From Salivary Molecular Biomarkers in an Architectural Context

Architecture influences our well-being. People's behavior and mood changes in different spaces are directly related to the architectural qualities of the built environment. Neuroarchitecture is a discipline that combines neuroscience and architecture to design spaces adapted to the psychological and physiological needs of users. Several studies related to neuroarchitecture have been conducted according to different architectural parameters such as style, natural environment, lighting, color, and sunlight pattern. Recent studies show that emotional states can be evaluated by physiological responses. This physiological regulation comes from the action of enzymes and hormones that represent the activity of the autonomic nervous system. Measuring specific biomarkers through non-invasive biological tests in saliva provides physiological data on an individual's emotional state in response to stimuli, particularly visual or tactile.

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: Emotions
• Intervention / Treatment: Diagnostic test: Bio-fluid analysis for the measurement of salivary biomarkers linked to emotions

Detailed Description

Architecture influences our well-being, and people's behavior and mood changes in different spaces are directly related to the architectural qualities of the built environment. For example, noise and lack of vegetation can generate stress and stress associated with the built environment can even negatively impact life expectancy. Moreover, psychology, and more specifically emotional regulation, plays a fundamental role in how individuals perceive and react to their environment. Emotional regulation is closely linked to the attachment style developed during childhood. Studies have shown that insecure attachment is associated with poorer emotional regulation, which can amplify stress reactions in response to an environment perceived as hostile or inadequate. Neuroarchitecture is a discipline that combines neuroscience and architecture to design spaces adapted to the psychological and physiological needs of users. Its main objective is to create environments that positively influence emotions and well-being, taking into account how our brain perceives and reacts to different elements of space. Several studies related to neuroarchitecture have been conducted according to different architectural parameters such as style, natural environment, lighting, color, and sunlight pattern. These studies generally use tools such as self-assessment scales (e.g., PANAS for affect), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), electroencephalogram (EEG), and heart rate measurement. These often subjective or indirect methods require trained and/or medical personnel and heavy equipment. In addition, emotions and their regulation are influenced by several sociodemographic factors, including age and the development of the prefrontal cortex, but also gender, socioeconomic level, education level, and cultural context. These factors modulate exposure to stress, the available regulation strategies, and their effectiveness. Life history, particularly early exposure to traumatic events, is also determining. These elements justify the attention paid to inclusion and exclusion criteria in the study (particularly age, gender, cultural context, etc.) to best control these variables. Recent studies show that emotional states (positive and negative) can also be evaluated by physiological responses. This physiological regulation comes from the action of enzymes and hormones that represent the activity of the autonomic nervous system. Thus, several studies using the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) have highlighted an increase in the concentration of cortisol, DeHydroEpiAndrosterone (DHEA), and salivary alpha-amylase in response to a state of acute stress and anxiety in tested individuals. Glenk et al. studied 40 adults (21 to 34 years old, allergic or not) using measures such as the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S) (20 self-reported items), the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ), a visual analog scale of perceived stress (VAS), salivary cortisol measurements, and plasma oxytocin. Izawa et al. analyzed salivary DHEA levels, blood pressure, and heart rate in 33 students with an average age of 22. Van Stegeren et al. measured salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase in 80 adults (men and women) exposed to TSST. Furthermore, an association between positive emotions and a decrease in salivary cortisol has also been described by Lai et al. in 80 adults via a questionnaire and salivary cortisol analysis. Oxytocin modulates the integration of emotional information and interacts with the reward pathway. It is released during positive social interactions and can downregulate stress and heart rate (study of 163 young adults under 35, high school level, no medication, questionnaires, filmed interviews, blood oxytocin measurement). Finally, Kanen et al. showed that fluctuations in serotonin concentration can generate various emotional phenotypes, highlighting the neurobiological impact on emotional regulation. It is therefore essential that participation in architectural exposure is voluntary, as the perception of control is a key factor in modulating the emotional response. Finally, measuring specific biomarkers (enzymes, hormones) through non-invasive biological tests in saliva provides reliable physiological data on an individual's emotional state). These approaches have already been applied to analyze the effects of olfactory stimuli (study of 170 participants, questionnaires, and salivary biomarkers) or architectural. The objective of the proposed research is therefore to measure, in an immersive context (architecture festival), salivary molecular biomarkers known to be linked to emotions. These measurements are intended to objectively measure the influence of an architectural context on physiological parameters related to emotions, while taking into account the psychological, sociodemographic, and developmental factors identified through a dedicated questionnaire.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Estimated): 60

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Wendpouiré A OUEDRAOGO, Msc; Phone Number: +33 (0) 467 047 481; Email: alimata.ouedraogo@sys2diag.cnrs.fr

Study Locations

• France
  • Montpellier, France, 34184
    • Sys2Diag - Umr9005 Cnrs/Alcen
    • Contact: Franck MOLINA, Phd; Phone Number: +33 (0) 467 047 460; Email: s2d.cpp@sys2diag.cnrs.fr
    • Contact: Wendpouiré A OUEDRAOGO, Msc; Phone Number: +33 (0) 467 047 481; Email: s2d.cpp@sys2diag.cnrs.fr
    • Principal Investigator: Laurence MOLINA, PhD
    • Sub-Investigator: Malik KAHLI, PhD

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Healthy adult volunteers attending the architectural festival who got exposed and/or got an interaction with an architectural work, with visual, tactile, and/or olfactory stimuli.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Subject over 18 years old
• Subject agreeing to follow the study procedures
• Subject capable of understanding the purpose, nature, and methodology of the study
• Subject affiliated with a French social security scheme or beneficiary of such a scheme.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Subject not affiliated with a French Social Security scheme or not a beneficiary of such a scheme
• Subject deprived of liberty, protected adult, vulnerable person, or minor
• Subject with proven or suspected chronic infectious disease that could pose a risk of contamination during sample handling (laboratories not equipped to handle this type of sample)
• Subject with a deficiency (vision, anosmia) preventing proper interaction with the architectural work
• Subject presenting signs of active oral inflammation, advanced periodontitis, or severe gingivitis
• Subject suffering from Gougerot-Sjögren syndrome (dry syndrome) or mouth cancer
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

2

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort	Intervention / Treatment
ARM VT; 30 subjects who will be exposed to an architectural work offering visual and tactile stimulations.	Diagnostic test: Bio-fluid analysis for the measurement of salivary biomarkers linked to emotions; Saliva of participants will be sampled for analysis of biomarkers of interest (DHEA, oxytocin, cortisol, alpha-amylase, serotonin, and dopamine) using enzymatic dosage methods or ELISA-type methods carried out using commercial kits.
ARM O; 30 subjects who will be exposed to a second architectural work offering visual, tactile, and olfactory stimulations.	Diagnostic test: Bio-fluid analysis for the measurement of salivary biomarkers linked to emotions; Saliva of participants will be sampled for analysis of biomarkers of interest (DHEA, oxytocin, cortisol, alpha-amylase, serotonin, and dopamine) using enzymatic dosage methods or ELISA-type methods carried out using commercial kits.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Evaluate the variation of salivary biomarkers, which may be linked to emotions (positive or negative), before and after interaction with an architectural work.	Evaluate the variation of salivary biomarkers, which may be linked to emotions (positive or negative), before and after interaction with an architectural work. This exposure includes a combination of visual, tactile, and/or olfactory stimuli.	2 years

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Identify a salivary molecular biomarker signature linked to an emotional profile following exposure to an architectural site.	Identify, from measurements of alpha-amylase, cortisol, DHEA, oxytocin, serotonin, and dopamine, one or more profile(s) of biomarker concentration variation, which would differentiate the emotions felt following exposure to an architectural site. These combinations of biomarkers could identify an emotion profile linked to a biomarker signature.	2 years
Compare the identified molecular biomarker signatures between the studied architectural sites (different types of visual, tactile, or olfactory stimuli).	Compare the different combinations of biomarker variations identified previously according to the two studied architectural sites. Indeed, since the two sites are architecturally different, the identified signatures could be different depending on the sites.	2 years
Establish correlations between the identified biomarker signatures linked to emotional profiles and sociodemographic and developmental data.	Compare the biomarker signatures measured after stimulation and the sociodemographic and developmental data to establish correlations between the stimuli, the emotions felt, and age, gender, etc.	2 years
Evaluate the homogeneity of the emotional physiological response following exposure to an architectural site.	Analyze the dispersion of the data obtained for each architectural site according to the day, age, gender, etc.	2 years

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Sys2Diag
• Collaborators: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, France
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Laurence MOLINA, PhD, Sys2Diag

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Gross JJ, John OP. Individual differences in two emotion regulation processes: implications for affect, relationships, and well-being. J Pers Soc Psychol. 2003 Aug;85(2):348-62. doi: 10.1037/0022-3514.85.2.348.
• Chen E, Miller GE. "Shift-and-Persist" Strategies: Why Low Socioeconomic Status Isn't Always Bad for Health. Perspect Psychol Sci. 2012 Mar;7(2):135-58. doi: 10.1177/1745691612436694.
• 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.
• John OP, Gross JJ. Healthy and unhealthy emotion regulation: personality processes, individual differences, and life span development. J Pers. 2004 Dec;72(6):1301-33. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-6494.2004.00298.x.
• Molina L, Santos Schneider F, Kahli M, Ouedraogo A, Alali M, Almosnino A, Baptiste J, Boulestreau J, Davy M, Houot-Cernettig J, Mountou T, Quenot M, Simphor E, Petit V, Molina F. Capturing Emotions Induced by Fragrances in Saliva: Objective Emotional Assessment Based on Molecular Biomarker Profiles. Biosensors (Basel). 2026 Jan 28;16(2):81. doi: 10.3390/bios16020081.
• McLaughlin KA, Peverill M, Gold AL, Alves S, Sheridan MA. Child Maltreatment and Neural Systems Underlying Emotion Regulation. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2015 Sep;54(9):753-62. doi: 10.1016/j.jaac.2015.06.010. Epub 2015 Jun 26.
• Kanen JW, Apergis-Schoute AM, Yellowlees R, Arntz FE, van der Flier FE, Price A, Cardinal RN, Christmas DM, Clark L, Sahakian BJ, Crockett MJ, Robbins TW. Serotonin depletion impairs both Pavlovian and instrumental reversal learning in healthy humans. Mol Psychiatry. 2021 Dec;26(12):7200-7210. doi: 10.1038/s41380-021-01240-9. Epub 2021 Aug 24.
• Casey BJ, Getz S, Galvan A. The adolescent brain. Dev Rev. 2008;28(1):62-77. doi: 10.1016/j.dr.2007.08.003.
• Roe JJ,Thompson CW,Aspinall PA,Brewer MJ,Duff EI,Miller D,Mitchell R,Clow A
• Metzger A, Alvis LM, Oosterhoff B, Babskie E, Syvertsen A, Wray-Lake L. The Intersection of Emotional and Sociocognitive Competencies with Civic Engagement in Middle Childhood and Adolescence. J Youth Adolesc. 2018 Aug;47(8):1663-1683. doi: 10.1007/s10964-018-0842-5. Epub 2018 Mar 23.
• Schneiderman I, Zagoory-Sharon O, Leckman JF, Feldman R. Oxytocin during the initial stages of romantic attachment: relations to couples' interactive reciprocity. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2012 Aug;37(8):1277-85. doi: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2011.12.021. Epub 2012 Jan 26.
• van Stegeren AH, Wolf OT, Kindt M. Salivary alpha amylase and cortisol responses to different stress tasks: impact of sex. Int J Psychophysiol. 2008 Jul;69(1):33-40. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2008.02.008. Epub 2008 Mar 5.
• Izawa S, Sugaya N, Shirotsuki K, Yamada KC, Ogawa N, Ouchi Y, Nagano Y, Suzuki K, Nomura S. Salivary dehydroepiandrosterone secretion in response to acute psychosocial stress and its correlations with biological and psychological changes. Biol Psychol. 2008 Dec;79(3):294-8. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2008.07.003. Epub 2008 Jul 25.
• Glenk LM, Kothgassner OD, Felnhofer A, Gotovina J, Pranger CL, Jensen AN, Mothes-Luksch N, Goreis A, Palme R, Jensen-Jarolim E. Salivary cortisol responses to acute stress vary between allergic and healthy individuals: the role of plasma oxytocin, emotion regulation strategies, reported stress and anxiety. Stress. 2020 May;23(3):275-283. doi: 10.1080/10253890.2019.1675629. Epub 2019 Oct 24.
• Choo H,Nasar JL,Nikrahei B,Walther DB
• Lai JC, Evans PD, Ng SH, Chong AM, Siu OT, Chan CL, Ho SM, Ho RT, Chan P, Chan CC. Optimism, positive affectivity, and salivary cortisol. Br J Health Psychol. 2005 Nov;10(Pt 4):467-84. doi: 10.1348/135910705X26083.
• Santos Schneider F, Molina L, Kahli M, Simphor E, Fournier A, Breau A., Ouedraogo A., Baptiste J., Houot-Cernettig J, Alali M, Dubourg C, Bleuez L, Aguadisch L, Petit V., Molina F, Évaluation objective et en temps réel des émotions induites par un parfum à l'aide d'un test salivaire moléculaire innovant, Cosmétiques, parfums et émotions - L'apport des neurosciences (2nd édition), Chartres, Cosmetic Valley Editions,"Collection Science", 2025, p.195-209.
• Molina F, Molina L, Schneider F, M Kahli. Method of emotion identification in human salivary samples. FR2315415 (2023) - (PCT/EP2024/088625)
• Chamilothoria K et al. Subjective and physiological responses to facade and sunlight pattern geometry in virtual reality. Building and Environment 2019; 150; 144-155
• Küller R et al. Color, Arousal, and Performance - A Comparison of Three Experiments. COLOR research and application 2009; 34(2); 141-152.
• Shin Y et al. Modelling Asymmetric Cointegration and Dynamic Multipliers in a Nonlinear ARDL Framework. In: Sickles, R., Horrace, W. (eds) Festschrift in Honor of Peter Schmidt. Springer, New York, NY. 2014
• Glass D.C., Singer J.E. Urban Stress. Experiments on Noise and Social Stressors. Academic Press, New York, xiv, 182 pp. 1972
• Homolja M et al. The Impact of Moving through the Built Environment on Emotional and Neurophysiological State - A Systematic Literature Review. Victoria University of Wellington Library. 2020.
• Matsumoto D, Hwang HS. Culture and emotion: The integration of biological and cultural contributions. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 2012; 43(1), 91-118.
• Nolen-Hoeksema S, Aldao A Gender and age differences in emotion regulation strategies and their relationship to depressive symptoms. Personality and Individual Differences (2011) 51; 704-708

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): June 9, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): June 14, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): June 14, 2028

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 26, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 26, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): April 2, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): April 14, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 9, 2026
• Last Verified: April 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Biomarkers; Stimuli; Architecture
• Other Study ID Numbers: 2025-A00909-40; 25.01443.000493#1 (Other Identifier: Comité de Protection des Personnes (French Ethics committee))

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No