Computed tomography study of pineal calcification in schizophrenia

Abstract

Computed tomography studies concerning pineal calcification (PC) in schizophrenia have been conducted mainly by one author who correlated this calcification with several aspects of the illness. On the basis of these findings the aim of the present study was to analyze size and incidence of pineal gland calcification by CT in schizophrenics and healthy controls, and to verify the relationship between pineal calcification and age, and the possible correlation with psychopathologic variables. Pineal calcification was measured on CT scans of 87 schizophrenics and 46 controls divided into seven age subgroups of five years each. No significant differences in PC incidence and mean size between patients and controls were observed as far as the entire group was considered. PC size correlated with age both in schizophrenics and controls. We found a higher incidence of PC in schizophrenics in the age subgroup of 21-25 years, and a negative correlation with positive symptoms of schizophrenia in the overall group. These findings could suggest a premature calcific process in schizophrenics and a probable association with 'non-paranoid' aspects of the illness. Nevertheless the potential role of this process possibly related to some aspects of the altered neurodevelopment in schizophrenia is still unclear.

A systematic review of the structural neuroimaging correlates of thought disorder

“…However, change in positive TD, as well as change in negative TD and negative TD at follow-up, each failed to correlate significantly with the percentage change in pituitary volume over time. Bersani et al (1999b) found that those with more severe positive TD had smaller pineal gland calcification lengths, though negative TD did not show the same correspondence. Conversely, Sandyk (1993b), who conducted the only TDmotivated study of the neuroendocrine system, found that individuals with more severe positive TD had greater pineal calcification than those with milder manifestations.…”

Identification and Treatment of a Pineal Region Tumor in an Adolescent With Prodromal Psychotic Symptoms

“…Several lines of evidence suggest a possible relationship between pineal gland abnormalities and symptoms of thought disorder. In particular, pineal gland irregularities (e.g., calcification) have been observed in patients with schizophrenia (13), and others have noted that these abnormalities may be related to abnormal nocturnal melatonin secretion in patients with schizophrenia (14). Anecdotal reports have also suggested that high doses of melatonin may exacerbate psychotic symptoms in patients with schizophrenia (15).…”

Habenula lesions cause impaired cognitive performance in rats: implications for schizophrenia

“…(1998) also found a larger area of epithalamus calcification in schizophrenics compared to control subjects. That this may be mainly due to increased calcification of habenula, rather than of the pineal, is suggested by observations of no difference in size of pineal calcification in schizophrenics (Bersani et al ., 1999). Based on several findings, particularly the fact that chronic treatment with cocaine or amphetamine severely damages the fasciculus retroflexus output pathway of the habenula in rats and results in a schizophrenia‐like state in man, Ellison (1994) has proposed a role for habenula pathology in schizophrenia.…”