Published October 1, 2024 | Version v1
Preprint Open

Pineal gland senescence: an emerging ageing-related pathology?

Authors/Creators

  • 1. ROR icon Cardiff Metropolitan University
  • 2. ROR icon Swansea Bay University Health Board
  • 3. University of Leeds
  • 4. ROR icon University of Warwick
  • 5. ROR icon Hull York Medical School
  • 6. ROR icon Durham University
  • 7. Buck Institute
  • 8. Swansea University
  • 9. ROR icon University of East Anglia
  • 10. ROR icon University of Edinburgh
  • 11. ROR icon Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
  • 12. ROR icon University College London
  • 13. ROR icon Harvard Medical School
  • 14. ROR icon Massachusetts General Hospital
  • 15. ROR icon Shriners Hospitals for Children - Boston

Description

An ageing-related pathology has recently been described as one that develops and/or progresses with increasing chronological age, that is associated with, or contributes to, functional decline, and is evidenced by studies in humans. The pineal gland is a photo-neuroendocrine organ whose primary function is to produce and secrete melatonin in response to environmental cues about the light-dark cycle. It undergoes ageing-related structural and morphological changes including calcification, gliosis, cyst formation, and a reduced density of β-adrenergic receptors, which are hypothesised to reduce melatonin secretion. Pineal gland senescence describes the ageing-related decline in neuroendocrine function, with reduced secretion of melatonin, which contributes to ageing-related sleep disorders, disruption of other circadian-driven physiological functions and may have secondary effects such as contributing to cognitive and mood disorders related to sleep disturbance.

Funding:
The project is funded by an Impetus grant from the Norn group.

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Additional details

Dates

Submitted
2024-09-30