What is Ultradian?

Ultradian partners have different roles in the project.

The U-RHYTHM device

Our novel sampling device is called U-RHYTHM. It has been developed by Designworks Windsor, a creative product design consultancy. Now in its third generation, U-RHYTHM is used to collect tissue fluid samples from study participants over the 24 hour period.

The samples are collected using a painless, minimally invasive technique called subcutaneous microdialysis. Participants continue with normal daily activities throughout the sampling period

The hormone samples

We use state of the art mass spectrometry and proteomics techniques to measure hormones in tiny volumes of fluid. In this way we can compile a 24-hour picture of dynamic hormone rhythms in our participants. The analysis takes place at the University of Bergen, Norway and at Olink Proteomics, located near Stockholm, Sweden.

Our clinical sites

ULTRADIAN is a multi-centre observational trial taking place in 4 countries.

• University of Bristol (UK),
• Karolinska Institutet (Sweden),
• Evangelismos Hospital (Greece)
• University of Bergen/Haukeland University Hospital (Norway). 

We are looking for both healthy volunteers and people with specific endocrine conditions

Who can join the Ultradian project? 

Healthy volunteers:

• between 18 and 68 years of age
• on no regular prescription medicine (except contraception)
• with a body mass index (BMI) between 16-29kg.m²

Patients with the following endocrine conditions: 

• Newly diagnosed Cushing's syndrome
• Newly diagnosed hyperaldosteronism
• Primary adrenal insufficiency (Addison’s disease)
• Established congenital adrenal hyperplasia
• Newly diagnosed acromegaly
• Established growth hormone deficiency

What will I experience as a patient or volunteer? 

• Contact one of our study centers for a participant information sheet and for a full list of inclusion and exclusion criteria
• A fee may be paid for your involvement, or to you for travel costs and other expenses.
• We can send you your results after the samples have been analysed. 

You might also want to watch our  video, which includes a demonstration of the sampling device in action.