Pineal-adrenal interactions: The effect of acute pharmacological blockade of nocturnal melatonin secretion

Mark A. Demitrack, Alfred J. Lewy, Victor I. Reus

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

24 Scopus citations

Abstract

The pineal gland is a complex neuroendocrine organ which is under photoneuroendocrine control. Previous studies in animals and humans have suggested reciprocal variations in pineal melatonin biosynthesis and adrenal glucocorticoid output; it remains unclear, however, whether a causal relationship exists between these two systems. To address this question, we examined the overnight secretory activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in conjunction with acute pharmacological suppression of pineal melatonin biosynthesis in 11 healthy volunteers. Results of the current study are consistent with the hypothesis that melatonin does not function as a tonic inhibitor of the HPA axis on an acute basis.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)183-189
Number of pages7
JournalPsychiatry Research
Volume32
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - May 1990
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • 6-hydroxymelatonin
  • Pineal gland
  • cortisol
  • β-adrenergic receptor

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Psychiatry and Mental health
  • Biological Psychiatry

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