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Endocrinology > Week 1 - Pineal Gland > Flashcards

Week 1 - Pineal Gland Flashcards

1
Q

What is the main hormone released from the pineal gland? What are the 2 things it is derived from?

A

Melatonin

Derived from serotonin and tryptophan

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2
Q

What are 2 other names for the pineal gland?

A

conarium and epiphysis cerebri

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3
Q

Where is the pineal gland located?

A

Middle (center of brain, btwn hemispheres)
Btwn thalamic bodies
Back of Midbrain
Btwn the 2 SUPERIOR colliculi

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4
Q

Which ventricle is the pineal gland found?

A

3rd, bathed in CSF thru a small pineal recess

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5
Q

The pineal gland is considered an atrophied ____________.

A

Photoreceptor

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6
Q

What is the blood supply for the pineal gland?

A

Posterior cerebral artery

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7
Q

T/F: There is a BBB in pineal capillaries

A

FALSE

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8
Q

What is the sympathetic innervation of the pineal gland?

A

Superior cervical ganglion

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9
Q

What is the parasympathetic innervation of the pineal gland?

A

Pterygopalatine & Otic ganglia

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10
Q

What is the central innervation of the pineal gland?

A

Pineal stalk

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11
Q

What other innervations are included in the pineal gland? What do they contain?

A

Neurons from Trigeminal ganglion

Contains: neuropeptide PACAP

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12
Q

Retina ganglion cells detect what?

A

Absence of light (specifically blue light [460-480nm])

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13
Q

Where do retina ganglion cells send their signal? What is the result?

A 
Superchiasmatic nucleus (SCN [hypothalamus])
Synchronizes the SCN to day/night cycle
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14
Q

Where does the SCN its message?

A

Paraventricular nucleus (PVN [hypothalamus])

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15
Q

What is the message progression from the PVN?

A

PVN to spinal cord [intermediolateral column (IMCC)]) to the sympathetic nerves (upper thoracic) to superior cervical ganglia (SCG) to the pineal gland

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16
Q

NE is released onto the pineal gland when light is ______. What does it do?

A

Absent; up regulates enzymes that synthesize melatonin (AANAT)

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17
Q

To what does NE bind on the pinealocytes?

A

ß1 and a1 receptors

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18
Q

What are the 5 cell types of the pineal gland?

A
  1. Pinealocytes
  2. Interstitial cells
  3. Perivascular phagocytes (microglia)
  4. Pineal neuron
  5. Peptidergic neuron-like cells
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19
Q

Which cell type is described:
Cell body w/4-6 cytoplasmic processes
Produce and secrete melatonin
Cytoplasm is lightly basophilic

A

Pinealocytes

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20
Q

Which cell type is described:

Located close to capillaries and act as antigen-presenting cells (APCs)

A

Perivascular phagocytes = microglia

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21
Q

Pineal development grows in size until about what age?

A

1-2 years old

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22
Q

Abundant melatonin in children does what?

A

Inhibits sexual development

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23
Q

What is the result of pineal tumors in children?

A

Precocious puberty

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24
Q

Melatonin is regulated by what?

A

External light

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25
Q

Melatonin regulates what two processes?

A
  1. Circadian rhythm

2. Reproductive hormones

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26
Q

T/F: Melatonin has an antioxidant function

A

True

27
Q

What is a hormone that is secreted from the pineal gland that is increased in synthesis at birth and is possibly the reason for out of body experiences?

A

DMT

28
Q

Aside from melatonin release what are 3 other functions of the pineal gland?

A
  1. Regulate Pituitary gland (suppress FSH and LH)
  2. Drug metabolism
  3. Regulation of bone metabolism (regulates new bone deposition via M2 receptors)
29
Q

The pineal gland becomes calcified with age, deposits are known as “______” and “______”

A

“Corpora aranacea” or “brain sand”

30
Q

What is the prevalence of pineal gland calcification?

A

40% of Americans by 17y/o

31
Q

T/F: Pineal gland calcification is a similar process to bone formation.

A

True

32
Q

What 2 forms of calcification is seen within the pineal gland?

A
  1. Calcium + phosphates (apatite) - correlated w/aging

2. Calcite (calcium carbonate)

33
Q

What is a benefit of calcification of the pineal gland with relation to x-ray and CT?

A

Allows pineal gland to serve as a landmark

34
Q

What is the term for:
Pineal cell tumors?
Germ cell tumors?

A

Pinealomas

Pinealblastomas

35
Q

What are 5 s/sx of a pineal tumor?

A
  1. Increased intracranial pressure
  2. Visual abnormalities
  3. Ataxia
  4. Parinaud syndrome
  5. Endocrine deficiency
36
Q

What are the 4 components of Parinaud syndrome?

A
  1. Upward gaze palsy
  2. Absent pupillary light reflex
  3. Paralysis of convergence
  4. wide-based gait
37
Q

What are 3 treatment options for a pineal tumor?

A
  1. Surgical removal or decompression
  2. Radiation therapy
  3. Hormone replacement
38
Q

What substance is secreted by pinealocytes via serotonin?

A

Melatonin

39
Q

What are 6 micronutrients required for melatonin synthesis?

A
  1. Iron
  2. Mg
  3. Zn
  4. B6 (P5P)
  5. Folate (5-MTHF)
  6. B12
40
Q

T/F: The pineal gland is the only tissue in the body that can synthesize melatonin

A

FALSE! Almost all tissue can

41
Q

What is the difference between pineal-derived melatonin and extra-pineal melatonin?

A

Pineal-derived: circadian rhythm regulation

Extra pineal: local antioxidant and autocrine/paracrine agent

42
Q

When is melatonin secretory peak in blood and CSF? Low?

A

Peak: Night
Low: Day

43
Q

What type of receptors are associated with melatonin?

A

G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs): MT1, MT2, and MT3

44
Q

What is the endogenous half life of melatonin?

A

30 min

45
Q

Melatonin is excreted through the urine as _____

A

6-sulfatoxymelatonin

46
Q

Melatonin acts as a _____ _______ within mitochondria where it promotes expression of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, catalase via melatonin receptors

A

direct antioxidant

47
Q

Melatonin secretion into CSF has which 2 neuroprotective qualities?

A
  1. ↓ deposition of amyloid protein

2. ↓ tau protein hyperphosphorylation

48
Q

What are the 2 actions of melatonin on regulation of sleep and circadian rhythm?

A
  1. Sleep onset (hormone of darkness, not sleep)

2. Prevents early puberty

49
Q

What are the 3 actions of melatonin on the pituitary?

A
  1. Inhibits GnRH to decrease FSH and LH and inhibits gonads to ↓ libido
  2. ↑ prolactin
  3. Regulates ACTH/cortisol rhythm and decrease nighttime cortisol
    * **No effect on growth hormone
50
Q

What are 2 affects of melatonin on bone?

A
  1. ↑ osteoblast proliferation, differentiation, and mineralization
  2. “Pineal-bone” axis
51
Q

What are 2 affects of melatonin on brain?

A
  1. Augments GABA signaling
  2. Inhibits glutamate excitotoxicity
    * **Note: GABA-agonists may INHIBIT melatonin
52
Q

What are the affects of melatonin on other systems?
Carido
Hepato

A

Cardio and hepato- protective

53
Q

Which 4 neurotransmitters are associated with increased sleep?

A
  1. Melatonin
  2. GABA
  3. Adenosine
  4. Galanin
54
Q

Which 6 neurotransmitters are associated with increased wakefulness?

A
  1. Dopamine
  2. Norepinephrine
  3. Serotonin
  4. Acetylcholine
  5. Histamine
  6. Orexin/hypocretin
55
Q

What are the roles of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone in sleep?

A

Estrogen (E2) —> ↑ Serotonin
Progesterone —> ↑ GABA
Testosterone —> ↑ Dopamine

56
Q

What are the 2 types of primary insomnia?

A

Dyssomnias and Parasomnias

57
Q

Which type of primary insomnia is impairment in the amount or quality or timing?

A

Dyssomnias

58
Q

Which type of primary insomnia is due to abnormal behavior during the sleep cycle?

A

Parasomnias

59
Q

What are 5 dyssomnias?

A
  1. Primary insomnia
  2. Primary hypersomnia
  3. Narcolepsy
  4. Circadian rhythm sleep disorder
  5. Sleep apnea (obstructive and central)
60
Q

What are 3 parasomnias?

A
  1. Nightmare disorder
  2. Night terror disorder
  3. Somnambulism
61
Q

Which sleep disorder condition has unpleasant sensations in the legs & an uncontrollable urge to move when at rest; burning, creeping, tugging, crawling sensations in legs; partially or totally relieved by movement; can disturb sleep? What is a treatment option?

A

Restless legs syndrome

Tx: ropinirole (Requip)—dopamine agonist

62
Q

Which sleep disorder condition is periodic limb movement disorder; patient moves limbs involuntarily during sleep; can worsen with TCAs & MAOIs, or from benzodiazepine or anticonvulsant withdrawal? What is a treatment option?

A

Nocturnal myoclonus

Tx: non-ergot-derived dopaminergic drugs

63
Q

What are 3 general observed mechanisms of nervine herbs?

A
  1. Increase: GABA & 5-HT
  2. Decrease: glutamate, NE/Epi
  3. Increase melatonin secretion
64
Q

Which historical symbol is the pineal gland and its location compared with?

A

Eye of Horus (Third eye)

Endocrinology (13 decks)

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