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Further observations on pineal brain sand formation and evolution in man
1Istituto di Anatomia Normale, Università di Bologna, Italy.
Bollettino Della Societa Italiana Di Biologia Sperimentale
|September 1, 1991
Summary
Human pineal gland acervuli contain proteins, glycoproteins, and proteoglycans. Magnesium increase may regulate hydroxyapatite deposition and growth in these brain structures.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
- Histology
Background:
- Human pineal gland acervuli, also known as brain sand, are calcified structures found in the pineal gland.
- Their exact function and composition remain areas of active research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the biochemical composition and structural organization of human pineal gland acervuli.
- To explore the potential role of specific ions and biomolecules in acervuli formation and growth.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of human pineal gland fragments from diverse age groups using light microscopy.
- Histochemical staining techniques including Periodic Acid-Schiff (P.A.S.), Alcian Blue pH 2.5, and Gomori-Bargmann procedures.
- Energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDS-microanalysis) to determine elemental composition.
Main Results:
- Acervuli and their sub-units tested positive for proteins, glycoproteins, and proteoglycans across different layers.
- Neurosecretory material was identified within the acervuli.
- An observed increase in magnesium ions (Mg++) from the core to the periphery of sub-units was noted.
Conclusions:
- The presence of glycoproteins and proteoglycans may act as aggregation factors, facilitating binding between disulfide bonds and calcium.
- The gradient of Mg++ is hypothesized to inhibit subsequent hydroxyapatite deposition, thereby regulating acervuli growth.