Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 28, 2026
08:17
A Mouse Model of Orthopedic Surgery to Study Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction and Tissue Regeneration
Published on: February 27, 2018
Neuroimmunomodulation of aging. A program in the pineal gland
1INTERBION Foundation for Basic Biomedical Research, Bellinzona, Switzerland.
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
|June 18, 1998
Summary
The pineal gland synchronizes bodily functions and immunity via melatonin secretion. Its function declines with aging, suggesting aging is pineal-programmed and melatonin may combat age-related diseases.
Area of Science:
- Neuroendocrinology
- Immunology
- Gerontology
Background:
- The neuroendocrine and immune systems are intricately linked.
- The pineal gland acts as a key regulator of environmental and internal signals.
- Melatonin, secreted by the pineal gland, influences hormonal functions and immunity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neuroendocrine-immune system relationship over 35 years.
- To elucidate the role of the pineal gland and melatonin in aging.
- To evaluate melatonin's mechanisms of action in combating age-related diseases.
Main Methods:
- Long-term investigation of neuroendocrine-immune interactions.
- In vivo modeling to study the pineal gland's function during aging.
- Analysis of melatonin's widespread tissue distribution and receptor sites.
Main Results:
- The pineal gland's regulatory function, particularly melatonin secretion, declines with aging.
- Aging appears to be a process programmed by the pineal gland.
- Melatonin exhibits diverse activities and widespread presence in neuroendocrine and immune tissues.
Conclusions:
- The pineal gland plays a critical role in programming aging.
- Melatonin's multifaceted functions suggest its potential therapeutic value in aging.
- Further research into melatonin and the pineal gland is essential for understanding and potentially mitigating aging processes.
Related Concept Videos
01:19The Effect of Aging on Tissues
Several body functions deteriorate with age. The external signs of aging are easily identifiable. For example, the skin becomes dry, less elastic, and thins out, forming wrinkles. The skin of the face begins to appear looser due to a decrease in the levels of elastic and collagen fibers in the connective tissue. Additionally, melanin production in the hair follicle decreases with age, resulting in gray hair. Moreover, the senses of sight and hearing decline, so glasses and hearing aids may...
01:15Neurogenesis and Regeneration of Nervous Tissue
In the CNS, neurogenesis, the birth of new neurons from stem cells, is limited to the hippocampus in adults. In other regions of the brain and spinal cord, neurogenesis is almost non-existent due to inhibitory influences from neuroglia, especially oligodendrocytes, and the absence of growth-stimulating cues. The myelin produced by oligodendrocytes in the CNS inhibits neuronal regeneration. Furthermore, astrocytes proliferate rapidly after neuronal damage, forming scar tissue that physically...
01:02The Pineal Gland
The pineal gland, a diminutive endocrine structure named for its pinecone-shaped appearance, is situated atop the third ventricle within the diencephalon region of the forebrain. This gland, composed of secretory cells known as pinealocytes arranged in compact cords and clusters around dense particles of calcium salts, plays a pivotal role in hormonal regulation.
The primary secretion of the pineal gland is the hormone melatonin, derived from serotonin. The concentration of melatonin in the...
The primary secretion of the pineal gland is the hormone melatonin, derived from serotonin. The concentration of melatonin in the...
01:26Aging
Aging is a complex biological phenomenon influenced by various processes that affect cellular and systemic functions. Several prominent theories attempt to explain its mechanisms, highlighting cellular limitations, oxidative damage, and hormonal changes as central factors in aging.
Cellular Clock Theory
The cellular clock theory posits that the human lifespan is closely tied to the finite capacity of cells to divide, a phenomenon governed by telomeres, which are protective caps at the ends of...
Cellular Clock Theory
The cellular clock theory posits that the human lifespan is closely tied to the finite capacity of cells to divide, a phenomenon governed by telomeres, which are protective caps at the ends of...
01:19Psychoneuroimmunology: Diabetes and Cancer
Chronic stress has been linked to both the onset and progression of serious health conditions, including Type 2 diabetes and cancer. Type 2 diabetes, a widespread chronic illness, is closely associated with obesity and insulin resistance, both of which often worsen under stress. Studies indicate that men experiencing high levels of chronic stress face a 45% higher risk of developing diabetes compared to those with minimal stress. Stress triggers physiological responses that elevate blood...