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International Journal of Radiation... Aug 2019
Topics: Brain Neoplasms; Germinoma; Humans; Pineal Gland
PubMed: 31327426
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2018.05.030 -
Neuroimaging Clinics of North America Feb 2017A review of pediatric pineal region tumors is provided with emphasis on advanced imaging techniques. The 3 major categories of pineal region tumors include germ cell... (Review)
Review
A review of pediatric pineal region tumors is provided with emphasis on advanced imaging techniques. The 3 major categories of pineal region tumors include germ cell tumors, pineal parenchymal tumors, and tumors arising from adjacent structures such as tectal astrocytomas. The clinical presentation, biochemical markers, and imaging of these types of tumors are reviewed.
Topics: Brain Neoplasms; Child; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Neuroimaging; Pineal Gland
PubMed: 27889025
DOI: 10.1016/j.nic.2016.08.002 -
Current Problems in Diagnostic Radiology 2015The anatomy of the pineal region is complex. Despite advances in surgical techniques since the first reported successful pineal region surgery in the early 20th century,... (Review)
Review
The anatomy of the pineal region is complex. Despite advances in surgical techniques since the first reported successful pineal region surgery in the early 20th century, pineal region surgery remains challenging owing to the proximity of deep cerebral veins and dorsal midbrain structures critical for vision. In this article, we review the relevant surgical anatomy of the pineal region and discuss historically important and current surgical approaches. We describe specific imaging features of pineal region masses that may affect surgical planning and review neoplastic and nonneoplastic masses that occur in the pineal region.
Topics: Arachnoid Cysts; Brain Neoplasms; Diagnosis, Differential; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Meningioma; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal; Pineal Gland; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
PubMed: 25027864
DOI: 10.1067/j.cpradiol.2014.05.007 -
ASN Neuro 2022The circumventricular organs (CVOs) are unique areas within the central nervous system. They serve as a portal for the rest of the body and, as such, lack a blood-brain... (Review)
Review
The circumventricular organs (CVOs) are unique areas within the central nervous system. They serve as a portal for the rest of the body and, as such, lack a blood-brain barrier. Microglia are the primary resident immune cells of the brain parenchyma. Within the CVOs, microglial cells find themselves continuously challenged and stimulated by local and systemic stimuli, even under steady-state conditions. Therefore, CVO microglia in their typical state often resemble the activated microglial forms found elsewhere in the brain as they are responding to pathological conditions or other stressors. In this review, I focus on the dynamics of CVO microglia, using the pineal gland as a specific CVO example. Data related to microglia heterogeneity in both homeostatic and unhealthy environments are presented and discussed, including those recently generated by using advanced single-cell and single-nucleus technology. Finally, perspectives in the CVO microglia field are also included.Microglia in circumventricular organs (CVOs) continuously adapt to react differentially to the diverse challenges they face. Herein, I discuss microglia heterogeneity in CVOs, including pineal gland. Further studies are needed to better understand microglia dynamics in these unique brain areas. .
Topics: Microglia; Pineal Gland; Circumventricular Organs; Blood-Brain Barrier; Brain
PubMed: 36317305
DOI: 10.1177/17590914221135697 -
Progress in Neurological Surgery 2019Pineal region tumors represent a heterogeneous group of different histologic entities, for which the management can be a significant challenge, due to their critical... (Review)
Review
Pineal region tumors represent a heterogeneous group of different histologic entities, for which the management can be a significant challenge, due to their critical location and frequent aggressive behavior. Traditional management includes surgical resection, fractionated radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is being increasingly used in the treatment of these tumors. It is used as primary therapy for pineocytomas and papillary tumors of the pineal region, as an adjuvant radiation boost in combination with radiation or chemotherapy for pineoblastomas and germ cell tumors, or in the context of tumor recurrence. The reported morbidity is low, consisting in transient oculomotor disturbance in most cases. As a non-invasive alternative to microsurgical resection, SRS should always be considered when discussing these challenging cases.
Topics: Brain Neoplasms; Humans; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Pineal Gland; Pinealoma; Radiosurgery
PubMed: 31096261
DOI: 10.1159/000493062 -
Acta Microbiologica Et Immunologica... Jun 2016The thymus develops from an endocrine area of the foregut, and retains the ancient potencies of this region. However, later it is populated by bone marrow originated... (Review)
Review
The thymus develops from an endocrine area of the foregut, and retains the ancient potencies of this region. However, later it is populated by bone marrow originated lymphatic elements and forms a combined organ, which is a central part of the immune system as well as an influential element of the endocrine orchestra. Thymus produces self-hormones (thymulin, thymosin, thymopentin, and thymus humoral factor), which are participating in the regulation of immune cell transformation and selection, and also synthesizes hormones similar to that of the other endocrine glands such as melatonin, neuropeptides, and insulin, which are transported by the immune cells to the sites of requests (packed transport). Thymic (epithelial and immune) cells also have receptors for hormones which regulate them. This combined organ, which is continuously changing from birth to senescence seems to be a pacemaker of life. This function is basically regulated by the selection of self-responsive thymocytes as their complete destruction helps the development (up to puberty) and their gradual release in case of weakened control (after puberty) causes the erosion of cells and intercellular material, named aging. This means that during aging, self-destructive and non-protective immune activities are manifested under the guidance of the involuting thymus, causing the continuous irritation of cells and organs. Possibly the pineal body is the main regulator of the pacemaker, the neonatal removal of which results in atrophy of thymus and wasting disease and its later corrosion causes the insufficiency of thymus. The co-involution of pineal and thymus could determine the aging and the time of death without external intervention; however, external factors can negatively influence both of them.
Topics: Aging; Animals; Humans; Pineal Gland; Thymus Gland; Thymus Hormones
PubMed: 27352969
DOI: 10.1556/030.63.2016.2.1 -
Biochimie Apr 2024Melatonin is a pleiotropic neurohormone found in different animal, plant, and microorganism species. It is a product resulting from tryptophan metabolism in the pineal... (Review)
Review
Melatonin is a pleiotropic neurohormone found in different animal, plant, and microorganism species. It is a product resulting from tryptophan metabolism in the pineal gland and is widely known for its ability to synchronize the circadian rhythm to antitumor functions in different types of cancers. The molecular mechanisms responsible for its immunomodulatory, antioxidant and cytoprotective effects involve binding to high-affinity G protein-coupled receptors and interactions with intracellular targets that modulate signal transduction pathways. In vitro and in vivo studies have reported the therapeutic potential of melatonin in different infectious and parasitic diseases. In this review, the protective and pathophysiological roles of melatonin in fighting protozoan and helminth infections and the possible mechanisms involved against these stressors will be discussed.
Topics: Animals; Melatonin; Pineal Gland; Antioxidants; Parasitic Diseases; Helminths; Circadian Rhythm
PubMed: 37541568
DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2023.07.021 -
Journal of Clinical Neuroscience :... Sep 2016Intracranial ectopic germinomas are often associated with synchronous midline disease. Germinomas involving the corpus callosum are exceedingly rare. The reported...
Intracranial ectopic germinomas are often associated with synchronous midline disease. Germinomas involving the corpus callosum are exceedingly rare. The reported imaging appearance is not as varied as one might expect and a review of the literature reveals a few common imaging features amongst most ectopic lesions, including cyst formation. We report a 24-year-old man with panhypopituitarism. Neuroimaging revealed three enhancing lesions involving the pituitary infundibulum, the pineal region, and a parenchymal lesion involving the genu of the corpus callosum. The described ectopic mass, a parenchymal lesion, was associated with small peripheral cysts. Stereotactic biopsy and histopathological evaluation revealed this mass to be a germinoma. Following chemotherapy and radiation therapy, there was near-total resolution of the intracranial disease. Preoperative imaging plays an important role, not only in delineating the extent of disease, but also in assisting in generating an appropriate differential diagnosis. Germinomas in the corpus callosum are exceedingly rare but should be considered in the differential of any young patient with a characteristic cystic and solid intra-axial mass.
Topics: Brain Neoplasms; Corpus Callosum; Germinoma; Humans; Hypopituitarism; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Pineal Gland; Young Adult
PubMed: 27050919
DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2016.02.013 -
Psychoneuroendocrinology Jun 2019Melatonin (MLT), the main hormone of the pineal gland (PG), is assumed to support initiation and maintenance of sleep, and a stable sleep-wake cycle, exerting... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Melatonin (MLT), the main hormone of the pineal gland (PG), is assumed to support initiation and maintenance of sleep, and a stable sleep-wake cycle, exerting antioxidative and neuroprotective actions. Evidence demonstrates that sleep and circadian rhythm abnormalities are very common in schizophrenia patients. Some imaging studies suggest structural abnormalities of the PG in these patients as well. We aimed to critically appraise the literature on PG imaging and melatonin secretion in schizophrenia patients, in comparison to matched healthy controls, and to review placebo-controlled trials of add-on exogenous MLT treatment in schizophrenia patients. In this systematic review, twenty-nine studies were included. Meta-analytical evaluation of data was possible only for MLT secretion finding that midnight plasma levels were significantly reduced in individuals with schizophrenia as compared to healthy controls (Hedge`s g = 1.32, p < 0.01). Imaging studies demonstrated greater prevalence of enlarged calcifications (>1 cm) of the PG (2 out of 2 computed tomography studies) and smaller PG volume (2 out of 3 magnetic resonance studies) compared with healthy controls. Anatomic and functional abnormalities of the PG were not associated with duration of illness or with treatment factors, maybe suggesting them to be primary characteristics of the disease and genetically based. Add-on MLT treatment leads to a modest improvement of objective and subjective sleep quality, of metabolic adverse effects of antipsychotics, and of tardive dyskinesia symptoms in schizophrenia patients. It remains to be established whether MLT treatment in prodromal phases of the disease could prevent neurostructural abnormalities.
Topics: Circadian Rhythm; Female; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Melatonin; Pineal Gland; Schizophrenia; Schizophrenic Psychology; Sleep
PubMed: 30831343
DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2019.02.024 -
Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology Nov 2019The pineal gland (PG) derives from the neural tube, like the rest of the central nervous system (CNS). The PG is specialized in synthesizing and secreting melatonin in a... (Review)
Review
The pineal gland (PG) derives from the neural tube, like the rest of the central nervous system (CNS). The PG is specialized in synthesizing and secreting melatonin in a circadian fashion. The nocturnal elevation of melatonin is a highly conserved feature among species which proves its importance in nature. Here, we review a limited set of intrinsic and extrinsic regulatory elements that have been shown or proposed to influence the PG's melatonin production, as well as pineal ontogeny and homeostasis. Intrinsic regulators include the transcription factors CREB, Pax6 and NeuroD1. In addition, microglia within the PG participate as extrinsic regulators of these functions. We further discuss how these same elements work in other parts of the CNS, and note similarities and differences to their roles in the PG. Since the PG is a relatively well-defined and highly specialized organ within the CNS, we suggest that applying this comparative approach to additional PG regulators may be a useful tool for understanding complex areas of the brain, as well as the influence of the PG in both health and disease, including circadian functions and disorders.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Microglia; Phenotype; Pineal Gland; Signal Transduction; Transcription Factors; Transcription, Genetic
PubMed: 30502386
DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2018.11.004