Evidence for the presence of melatonin in the human brain.
Melatonin was measured by radioimmunoassay in human brain and pineal gland. Levels were 50 times lower in brain than in pineal. The distribution appeared uneven between the various areas studied. No measurable hydroxyindol-O-methyltransferase activity could be shown. These findings suggest that what appears to be melatonin in the human brain is unlikely to be synthesized in situ.
D000121:Acetylserotonin O-Methyltransferase / Q000378:metabolism; D001921:Brain / Q000201:enzymology; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008550:Melatonin / Q000032:analysis*; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000032:analysis; D011863:Radioimmunoassay
D000121:Acetylserotonin O-Methyltransferase; D008550:Melatonin