Pineal Gland Calcification and its Long-Term Effects: A Contemporary Review

The pineal gland exhibits a high propensity for physiological calcification that increases with age. Pineal gland calcification (PGC) has been postulated to reduce endogenous melatonin production and to associate with sleep disturbance, neurodegeneration, psychiatric disorders, vascular disease and altered endocrine function. This review synthesizes literature published between 2018 and 2025, focusing on epidemiology, putative mechanisms, clinical associations, imaging methods for quantification, and therapeutic implications. We analysed contemporary systematic reviews, histomorphological studies, neuroimaging reports, mechanistic animal studies, and clinical association studies to provide an integrated appraisal and to highlight key gaps for future research.