Peripheral brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and salivary cortisol levels in college students with different levels of academic stress. Study protocol
Fig 1
Schematic of both the labeling procedure and the centrifugation of each tube in which the peripheral blood sample will be obtained.
Each participant will have 12 ml of peripheral blood (04 tubes) drawn using 02 tubes with EDTA K3 as anticoagulant and 02 tubes without additives (to obtain serum). The peripheral blood samples obtained will be centrifuged for 10 min at 2500 g and then either plasma or serum will be aliquoted and stored at -80°C until processing. In the case of samples with EDTA K3 as the anticoagulant, one tube shall be centrifuged as soon as the blood sample is withdrawn and the other tube after 30 min at room temperature. For samples without anticoagulant, one tube shall be centrifuged after 10 min at room temperature and the other after 30 min.