Calcite microcrystals in the pineal gland of the human brain: First physical and chemical studies

Abstract

A new form of biomineralization has been studied in the pineal gland of the human brain. It consists of small crystals that are less than 20 microm in length and that are completely distinct from the often observed mulberry-type hydroxyapatite concretions. A special procedure was developed for isolation of the crystals from the organic matter in the pineal gland. Cubic, hexagonal, and cylindrical morphologies have been identified using scanning electron microscopy. The crystal edges were sharp whereas their surfaces were very rough. Energy dispersive spectroscopy showed that the crystals contained only the elements calcium, carbon, and oxygen. Selected area electron diffraction and near infrared Raman spectroscopy established that the crystals were calcite. With the exception of the otoconia structure of the inner ear, this is the only known nonpathological occurrence of calcite in the human body. The calcite microcrystals are probably responsible for the previously observed second harmonic generation in pineal tissue sections. The complex texture structure of the microcrystals may lead to crystallographic symmetry breaking and possible piezoelectricity, as is the case with otoconia. It is believed that the presence of two different crystalline compounds in the pineal gland is biologically significant, suggesting two entirely different mechanisms of formation and biological functions. Studies directed toward the elucidation of the formation and functions, and possible nonthermal interaction with external electromagnetic fields are currently in progress.

Biological Calcification

“…The pineal gland contains a number of calcified concretions, called 'brain sand' or 'acervuli' (reviewed by Vigh et al 1998), which consist of calcium carbonate (calcite), in this respect sharing some similarities with otoconia (Baconnier et al 2002). Their numbers increase with age; they may be one outcome of the process of senescence, although they are already found in small numbers in children, and do not seem to be caused by specific pathological processes.…”

Lunasensor, Infradian Rhythms, Telomeres, and the Chronomere Program of Aging

“…On the whole, in higher animals, the two mineralization forms are present in the pineal gland: polycrystalline concretions (which are up to several millimeters long, and which drew the attention of anatomists as a proper "brain sand") and microcrystals, the size of which varies from 1 to 20 micrometers. 36,37 Small grains and con-cretions, although probably biologically important, have for a long time slipped from observation. A possibility of reversibility of some concretions is clear from the example of the later disappearance of the "sand" present in the human embryonic anterior pituitary.…”

Ultrastructural characterization of the new NG97ht human‐derived glioma cell line using two different electron microscopy technical procedures

“…Schenka et al (2005) reported some histological gliosarcoma components during the immunophenotypical NG97 characterization, even though immunohistochemical markers in those specimens did not confirm this sarcomatous compound. These electron-dense ellipsoids were similar to the concretion structures presented in pineal gland cells, named as Brain sand and composed of calcium (Baconnier et al, 2002). We believe that just one cell morphotype produces this structure combining intracellular calcium with phosphorus molecules that can be released by cells.…”