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Cancer Cell International Jan 2022N-[2-(5-methoxy-1H-indol-3-yl) ethyl] or simply melatonin is a biogenic amine produced by pineal gland and recently recognized various other organs. Because of a broad... (Review)
Review
N-[2-(5-methoxy-1H-indol-3-yl) ethyl] or simply melatonin is a biogenic amine produced by pineal gland and recently recognized various other organs. Because of a broad range of biological function melatonin is considered as a therapeutic agent with high efficacy in the treatment of multiple disorders, such as cancer, degenerative disorders and immune disease. However, since melatonin can affect receptors on the cellular membrane, in the nucleus and can act as an anti-oxidant molecule, some unwanted effects may be observed after administration. Therefore, the entrapment of melatonin in biocompatible, biodegradable and safe nano-delivery systems can prevent its degradation in circulation; decrease its toxicity with increased half-life, enhanced pharmacokinetic profile leading to improved patient compliance. Because of this, nanoparticles have been used to deliver melatonin in multiple studies, and the present article aims to cumulatively illustrate their findings.
PubMed: 35093076
DOI: 10.1186/s12935-022-02472-7 -
International Journal of Molecular... Sep 2020With aging, the nervous system gradually undergoes degeneration. Increased oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and cell death are... (Review)
Review
With aging, the nervous system gradually undergoes degeneration. Increased oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and cell death are considered to be common pathophysiological mechanisms of various neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease (HD), organophosphate-induced delayed neuropathy (OPIDN), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Autophagy is a cellular basic metabolic process that degrades the aggregated or misfolded proteins and abnormal organelles in cells. The abnormal regulation of neuronal autophagy is accompanied by the accumulation and deposition of irregular proteins, leading to changes in neuron homeostasis and neurodegeneration. Autophagy exhibits both a protective mechanism and a damage pathway related to programmed cell death. Because of its "double-edged sword", autophagy plays an important role in neurological damage and NDDs including AD, PD, HD, OPIDN, and ALS. Melatonin is a neuroendocrine hormone mainly synthesized in the pineal gland and exhibits a wide range of biological functions, such as sleep control, regulating circadian rhythm, immune enhancement, metabolism regulation, antioxidant, anti-aging, and anti-tumor effects. It can prevent cell death, reduce inflammation, block calcium channels, etc. In this review, we briefly discuss the neuroprotective role of melatonin against various NDDs via regulating autophagy, which could be a new field for future translational research and clinical studies to discover preventive or therapeutic agents for many NDDs.
Topics: Aging; Alzheimer Disease; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Animals; Antioxidants; Autophagy; Autophagy-Related Proteins; Circadian Rhythm; Humans; Huntington Disease; Melatonin; Nervous System; Neurons; Neuroprotective Agents; Parkinson Disease; Pineal Gland
PubMed: 32998479
DOI: 10.3390/ijms21197174 -
CNS Oncology Jan 2017X-rays and ventriculograms were the first imaging modalities used to localize intracranial lesions including brain tumors as far back as the 1880s. Subsequent advances... (Review)
Review
X-rays and ventriculograms were the first imaging modalities used to localize intracranial lesions including brain tumors as far back as the 1880s. Subsequent advances in preoperative radiological localization included computed tomography (CT; 1971) and MRI (1977). Since then, other imaging modalities have been developed for clinical application although none as pivotal as CT and MRI. Intraoperative technological advances include the microscope, which has allowed precise surgery under magnification and improved lighting, and the endoscope, which has improved the treatment of hydrocephalus and allowed biopsy and complete resection of intraventricular, pituitary and pineal region tumors through a minimally invasive approach. Neuronavigation, intraoperative MRI, CT and ultrasound have increased the ability of the neurosurgeon to perform safe and maximal tumor resection. This may be facilitated by the use of fluorescing agents, which help define the tumor margin, and intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring, which helps identify and protect eloquent brain.
Topics: Brain Neoplasms; History, 19th Century; History, 20th Century; Humans; Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring; Neuronavigation; Pediatrics
PubMed: 28001090
DOI: 10.2217/cns-2016-0022 -
Polish Journal of Radiology 2021Abnormalities in melatonin physiology and circadian rhythm are detected in patients with autism. Melatonin is produced predominantly in the pineal gland and the amount...
PURPOSE
Abnormalities in melatonin physiology and circadian rhythm are detected in patients with autism. Melatonin is produced predominantly in the pineal gland and the amount of melatonin released is proportional to the pineal gland volume. This study aimed to examine whether the pineal gland volume in children with autism is different from that in healthy children.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Brain magnetic resonance images (MRI) of 120 paediatric patients with autism and 82 control paediatric subjects were examined; pineal parenchymal volume (PPV), pineal cyst rate (PCR), and total pineal gland volume (TPGV) were measured using a multimodality viewer (MMV), but only the TPGVs were measured using a tumour tracking (TT) method. Measurements were taken by 2 separate radiologists.
RESULTS
In patients with autism, the PPV and TPGV according to MMV, and the TPGV according to TT were significantly lower, and the PCR was significantly higher. Moreover, the ratio of PPV to TPGV was significantly lower in the autism patient group. In both groups, the TPGVs were significantly lower in the autism patient group than the controls among all age groups.
CONCLUSIONS
Our study was the first to examine TPGVs in detail in paediatric patients with autism using 2 different methods. Low PPV-TPGV and high PCR have been observed in autism. This study also provides comparable reference values for pineal gland size in healthy children or autistic children aged 2-17 years. These results show promising potential for further research to understand the relationship between autism pathogenesis and the pineal gland.
PubMed: 34093919
DOI: 10.5114/pjr.2021.105689 -
Neurology India 2021Pineal parenchymal tumors account for less than 0.3% of all CNS tumors and "Pineal parenchymal tumor of intermediate differentiation" (PPTID; World Health Organization... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Pineal parenchymal tumors account for less than 0.3% of all CNS tumors and "Pineal parenchymal tumor of intermediate differentiation" (PPTID; World Health Organization (WHO) grades II and III) exhibit intermediary differentiation and prognosis. However "Papillary tumor of the pineal region" (PTPR; WHO grades II and III) is a distinct entity.
OBJECTIVES
This combination of rarity and apparent similarity often leads to perplexity regarding the treatment and prognosis among neurosurgeons. In this review, we have tried to elucidate the differences in clinical as well as treatment modalities and outcomes of these two entities.
METHODS
We used the PubMed Database to search for all relevant articles using the keywords "pineal parenchymal tumor of intermediate differentiation" and "Papillary tumor of the pineal region." Articles having details regarding demographic and clinical variables along with treatment and outcomes were chosen for this study. Full text of these articles was analyzed, and data tabulated.
RESULTS
A total of 25 articles for PPTID and 45 for PTPR were found suitable for inclusion in this study. The studies were either case reports or small retrospective series with only one systemic review for each pathology. Despite the poor quality of data, some trends were apparent. Surgical resection offered a survival benefit in both pathologies. Radiotherapy was effective in increasing the survival in PPTID, while there was little to no effect in PPTR. Chemotherapy was not found to be beneficial in either.
CONCLUSION
Both of these tumors have moderate growth rate and potential for malignant behavior. This continuum of characteristics makes their optimal treatment strategy difficult and confusing. The discussion on comprehensive literature review should give information for neurosurgeons to decide on optimal treatment strategies.
Topics: Brain Neoplasms; Humans; Pineal Gland; Pinealoma; Prognosis; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 34747779
DOI: 10.4103/0028-3886.329550 -
Journal of Pineal Research Aug 2020Circadian clocks are cell-autonomous self-sustaining oscillators that allow organisms to anticipate environmental changes throughout the solar day and persist in nearly... (Review)
Review
Circadian clocks are cell-autonomous self-sustaining oscillators that allow organisms to anticipate environmental changes throughout the solar day and persist in nearly every cell examined. Environmental or genetic disruption of circadian rhythms increases the risk of several types of cancer, but the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. Here, we discuss evidence connecting circadian rhythms-with emphasis on the cryptochrome proteins (CRY1/2)-to cancer through in vivo models, mechanisms involving known tumor suppressors and oncogenes, chemotherapeutic efficacy, and human cancer risk.
Topics: Animals; Circadian Clocks; Cryptochromes; Humans; Neoplasms; Tumor Suppressor Proteins
PubMed: 32291799
DOI: 10.1111/jpi.12658 -
NeuroImage. Clinical 2021Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies reported pineal gland atrophy in schizophrenia patients and individuals at a clinical high risk of developing psychosis,...
BACKGROUND
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies reported pineal gland atrophy in schizophrenia patients and individuals at a clinical high risk of developing psychosis, implicating abnormalities in melatonin secretion in the pathophysiology of psychosis. However, it currently remains unclear whether the morphology of the pineal gland contributes to symptomatology and sociocognitive functions.
METHODS
This MRI study examined pineal gland volumes and the prevalence of pineal cysts as well as their relationship with clinical characteristics in 57 at risk mental state (ARMS) subjects, 63 patients with schizophrenia, and 61 healthy controls. The Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale (SOFAS), the Schizophrenia Cognition Rating Scale (SCoRS), and the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS) were used to assess sociocognitive functions, while the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale was employed to evaluate clinical symptoms in ARMS subjects and schizophrenia patients.
RESULTS
Pineal gland volumes were significantly smaller in the ARMS and schizophrenia groups than in the controls, while no significant differences were observed in the prevalence of pineal cysts. Although BACS, SCoRS, and SOFAS scores were not associated with pineal morphology, patients with pineal cysts in the schizophrenia group exhibited severe positive psychotic symptoms with rather mild negative symptoms.
CONCLUSION
The present results indicate the potential of pineal atrophy as a vulnerability marker in various stages of psychosis and suggest that pineal cysts influence the clinical subtype of schizophrenia.
Topics: Atrophy; Cysts; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Pineal Gland; Psychotic Disorders; Schizophrenia
PubMed: 34461434
DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2021.102805 -
Journal of Pediatric Neurosciences 2021Pineal glioblastomas (GBMs) are extremely rare tumors. Herein we will present a pediatric patient with GBM located in pineal region who was admitted with the symptoms of...
UNLABELLED
Pineal glioblastomas (GBMs) are extremely rare tumors. Herein we will present a pediatric patient with GBM located in pineal region who was admitted with the symptoms of increased intracranial pressure and treated with surgical resection and radiotherapy.
INTRODUCTION
Pineal region tumors are extremely rare accounting for less than 1% of all brain tumors. The most common type of pineal region tumors is germ cell tumor, followed by pineal parenchymal tumors, gliomas, atypical tumors, and the others.
CASE REPORT
A 5-year-old girl was admitted with complaints of headache, dizziness, imbalance in walking, and impaired vision for 1 month. Her neurological examination revealed a tendency to sleep, anisocoric pupillae, mesh eye pupil, dilated lateral gaze paralysis, and left hemiparasia (4/5 muscle strength). In magnetic resonance imaging, a mass was observed in the pineal region that infiltrates the right thalamus and right superior peduncle, isointense and hyperintense in T1 sections, hyperintense in T2 sections, having centrally contrasted areas in post-contrast sections. Due to the presence of evident hydrocephalus, a ventricular shunt was inserted and then through supracerebellar to infratentorial approach the lesion was removed subtotally. The histopathological diagnosis was GBM. GBMs in the pineal region are extremely rare tumors carrying poor prognosis. The patients are generally presented with the signs and symptoms of increased intracranial pressure. GBMs should be kept in mind in differential diagnosis of tumors in the pineal region.
PubMed: 36531780
DOI: 10.4103/jpn.JPN_232_20 -
Proceedings (Baylor University. Medical... Jan 2015Pineal region tumors make up less than 1% of all intracranial neoplasms, with the majority being of germ cell origin. We describe the diagnostic evaluation and treatment...
Pineal region tumors make up less than 1% of all intracranial neoplasms, with the majority being of germ cell origin. We describe the diagnostic evaluation and treatment of a patient presenting with neurological deficits who was found to have a germinoma of the pineal gland.
PubMed: 25552796
DOI: 10.1080/08998280.2015.11929183 -
Frontiers in Oncology 2023Pediatric diencephalic tumors represent a histopathologically and molecularly diverse group of neoplasms arising in the central part of the brain and involving eloquent... (Review)
Review
Pediatric diencephalic tumors represent a histopathologically and molecularly diverse group of neoplasms arising in the central part of the brain and involving eloquent structures, including the hypothalamic-pituitary axis (HPA), optic pathway, thalamus, and pineal gland. Presenting symptoms can include significant neurological, endocrine, or visual manifestations which may be exacerbated by injudicious intervention. Upfront multidisciplinary assessment and coordinated management is crucial from the outset to ensure best short- and long-term functional outcomes. In this review we discuss the clinical and pathological features of the neoplastic entities arising in this location, and their management. We emphasize a clear move towards 'function preserving' diagnostic and therapeutic approaches with novel toxicity-sparing strategies, including targeted therapies.
PubMed: 37886179
DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1178553