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Endocrinology > Week 1 - Pineal Gland > Flashcards

Week 1 - Pineal Gland Flashcards

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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
Melatonin regulates what two processes?
1. Circadian rhythm | 2. Reproductive hormones
26
T/F: Melatonin has an antioxidant function
True
27
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?
DMT
28
Aside from melatonin release what are 3 other functions of the pineal gland?
1. Regulate Pituitary gland (suppress FSH and LH) 2. Drug metabolism 3. Regulation of bone metabolism (regulates new bone deposition via M2 receptors)
29
The pineal gland becomes calcified with age, deposits are known as "______" and "______"
"Corpora aranacea" or "brain sand"
30
What is the prevalence of pineal gland calcification?
40% of Americans by 17y/o
31
T/F: Pineal gland calcification is a similar process to bone formation.
True
32
What 2 forms of calcification is seen within the pineal gland?
1. Calcium + phosphates (apatite) - correlated w/aging | 2. Calcite (calcium carbonate)
33
What is a benefit of calcification of the pineal gland with relation to x-ray and CT?
Allows pineal gland to serve as a landmark
34
What is the term for: Pineal cell tumors? Germ cell tumors?
Pinealomas | Pinealblastomas
35
What are 5 s/sx of a pineal tumor?
1. Increased intracranial pressure 2. Visual abnormalities 3. Ataxia 4. Parinaud syndrome 5. Endocrine deficiency
36
What are the 4 components of Parinaud syndrome?
1. Upward gaze palsy 2. Absent pupillary light reflex 3. Paralysis of convergence 4. wide-based gait
37
What are 3 treatment options for a pineal tumor?
1. Surgical removal or decompression 2. Radiation therapy 3. Hormone replacement
38
What substance is secreted by pinealocytes via serotonin?
Melatonin
39
What are 6 micronutrients required for melatonin synthesis?
1. Iron 2. Mg 3. Zn 4. B6 (P5P) 5. Folate (5-MTHF) 6. B12
40
T/F: The pineal gland is the only tissue in the body that can synthesize melatonin
FALSE! Almost all tissue can
41
What is the difference between pineal-derived melatonin and extra-pineal melatonin?
Pineal-derived: circadian rhythm regulation | Extra pineal: local antioxidant and autocrine/paracrine agent
42
When is melatonin secretory peak in blood and CSF? Low?
Peak: Night Low: Day
43
What type of receptors are associated with melatonin?
G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs): MT1, MT2, and MT3
44
What is the endogenous half life of melatonin?
30 min
45
Melatonin is excreted through the urine as _____
6-sulfatoxymelatonin
46
Melatonin acts as a _____ _______ within mitochondria where it promotes expression of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, catalase via melatonin receptors
direct antioxidant
47
Melatonin secretion into CSF has which 2 neuroprotective qualities?
1. ↓ deposition of amyloid protein | 2. ↓ tau protein hyperphosphorylation
48
What are the 2 actions of melatonin on regulation of sleep and circadian rhythm?
1. Sleep onset (hormone of darkness, not sleep) | 2. Prevents early puberty
49
What are the 3 actions of melatonin on the pituitary?
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
What are 2 affects of melatonin on bone?
1. ↑ osteoblast proliferation, differentiation, and mineralization 2. “Pineal-bone” axis
51
What are 2 affects of melatonin on brain?
1. Augments GABA signaling 2. Inhibits glutamate excitotoxicity * **Note: GABA-agonists may INHIBIT melatonin
52
What are the affects of melatonin on other systems? Carido Hepato
Cardio and hepato- protective
53
Which 4 neurotransmitters are associated with increased sleep?
1. Melatonin 2. GABA 3. Adenosine 4. Galanin
54
Which 6 neurotransmitters are associated with increased wakefulness?
1. Dopamine 2. Norepinephrine 3. Serotonin 4. Acetylcholine 5. Histamine 6. Orexin/hypocretin
55
What are the roles of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone in sleep?
Estrogen (E2) ---> ↑ Serotonin Progesterone ---> ↑ GABA Testosterone ---> ↑ Dopamine
56
What are the 2 types of primary insomnia?
Dyssomnias and Parasomnias
57
Which type of primary insomnia is impairment in the amount or quality or timing?
Dyssomnias
58
Which type of primary insomnia is due to abnormal behavior during the sleep cycle?
Parasomnias
59
What are 5 dyssomnias?
1. Primary insomnia 2. Primary hypersomnia 3. Narcolepsy 4. Circadian rhythm sleep disorder 5. Sleep apnea (obstructive and central)
60
What are 3 parasomnias?
1. Nightmare disorder 2. Night terror disorder 3. Somnambulism
61
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?
Restless legs syndrome | Tx: ropinirole (Requip)—dopamine agonist
62
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?
Nocturnal myoclonus | Tx: non-ergot-derived dopaminergic drugs
63
What are 3 general observed mechanisms of nervine herbs?
1. Increase: GABA & 5-HT 2. Decrease: glutamate, NE/Epi 3. Increase melatonin secretion
64
Which historical symbol is the pineal gland and its location compared with?
Eye of Horus (Third eye)

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