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Pineal melatonin functions: possible relevance to Parkinson's disease
1Department of Clinical Neuropsychiatry, New York State Psychiatric Institute, NY 10032.
The International Journal of Neuroscience
|January 1, 1990
Summary
Parkinson's disease may involve hypothalamic dysfunction, potentially linked to the pineal gland and its melatonin secretion. This review explores how altered pineal melatonin functions might relate to Parkinson's symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Neuroendocrinology
- Neuroscience
- Pathophysiology
Background:
- Barbeau's hypothesis links Parkinson's disease (PD) to hypothalamic deficiency in the amine precursor uptake decarboxylation (APUD) system.
- Degeneration of brainstem monoaminergic neurons in PD may be secondary to APUD system dysfunction.
- The pineal gland fits the APUD system criteria, suggesting its dysfunction could be involved in PD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review evidence connecting pineal gland alterations to Parkinson's disease.
- To explore the potential role of pineal melatonin in PD pathophysiology and clinical symptoms.
- To investigate the enigmatic role of human pineal melatonin in PD.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on pineal gland function and Parkinson's disease.
- Analysis of existing hypotheses regarding the APUD system and neurodegeneration.
- Synthesis of evidence linking melatonin secretion to PD manifestations.
Main Results:
- The pineal gland's characteristics align with the APUD cell system.
- Dysfunction of the pineal gland is a plausible factor in PD.
- The precise role of melatonin deregulation in specific PD symptoms requires further investigation.
Conclusions:
- Pineal gland dysfunction and altered melatonin secretion are potential contributors to Parkinson's disease.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the specific mechanisms linking pineal melatonin to PD symptoms.
- Understanding these connections may offer new insights into PD pathophysiology.