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Pineal calcification in relation to menopause in schizophrenia
1Department of Psychiatry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461.
The International Journal of Neuroscience
|November 1, 1992
Summary
Pineal calcification (PC) is linked to earlier schizophrenia onset in women. This suggests the pineal gland plays a role in schizophrenia development, potentially offering a protective effect.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Melatonin secretion, regulated by the pineal gland, is hypothesized to influence schizophrenia's onset and pathogenesis.
- Pineal calcification (PC) is considered an indicator of the pineal gland's metabolic and secretory activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between pineal calcification (PC) and the age of illness onset in female schizophrenia patients.
- To explore the relationship between PC and premenopausal versus menopausal onset of schizophrenia.
Main Methods:
- Computed tomography (CT) scans were used to assess PC in 29 chronically institutionalized female schizophrenia patients.
- Patients were categorized based on illness onset: premenopausal (before age 40) and menopausal (ages 40-55).
Main Results:
- A significantly higher prevalence of PC was observed in patients with premenopausal onset (55.5%) compared to menopausal onset (18.1%).
- PC prevalence was not associated with historical, demographic, or treatment variables.
Conclusions:
- The findings underscore the pineal gland's significance in determining the timing of schizophrenia onset, especially concerning the female reproductive cycle.
- The pineal gland may exert a protective influence against the development of schizophrenia.