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Morphology and function: MR pineal volume and melatonin level in human saliva are correlated
Author(s) -
Liebrich LuisaSophie,
Schredl Michael,
Findeisen Peter,
Groden Christoph,
Bumb Jan Malte,
Nölte Ingo S.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of magnetic resonance imaging
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.563
H-Index - 160
eISSN - 1522-2586
pISSN - 1053-1807
DOI - 10.1002/jmri.24449
Subject(s) - melatonin , saliva , circadian rhythm , medicine , endocrinology , pineal gland , biology
Purpose To investigate the relation between circadian saliva melatonin levels and pineal volume as determined by MRI. Plasma melatonin levels follow a circadian rhythm with a high interindividual variability. Materials and Methods In 103 healthy individuals saliva melatonin levels were determined at four time points within 24 h and MRI was performed once (3.0 Tesla, including three‐dimensional T2 turbo spin echo [3D‐T2‐TSE], susceptibility‐weighted imaging [SWI]). Pineal volume as well as cyst volume were assessed from multiplanar reconstructed 3D‐T2‐TSE images. Pineal calcification volume tissue was determined on SWI. To correct for hormonal inactive pineal tissue, cystic and calcified areas were excluded. Sleep quality was assessed with the Landeck Inventory for sleep quality disturbance. Results Solid and uncalcified pineal volume correlated to melatonin maximum (r = 0.28; P < 0.05) and area under the curve (r = 0.29; P < 0.05). Of interest, solid and uncalcified pineal volume correlated negatively with the sleep rhythm disturbances subscore (r = −0.17; P < 0.05) despite a very homogenous population. Conclusion Uncalcified solid pineal tissue measured by 3D‐T2‐TSE and SWI is related to human saliva melatonin levels. The analysis of the sleep quality and pineal volume suggests a linkage between better sleep quality and hormonal active pineal tissue. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2014;40:966–971. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc .