title: The association of pineal gland volume and body mass in obese and normal weight individuals: a pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In obese individuals impaired sleep and neuroendocrine alterations such as melatonin deficits are associated with circadian rhythm disruption, altered circadian clock gene expression, and bright light at night. While the relation of pineal gland volume (PGV) and melatonin levels has recently been documented in humans, surprisingly little is known about the possible interference of the PGV and the pathophysiology of obesity in humans.
  
  
  METHODS
  We therefore compared the PGV of obese with non-obese individuals; both groups were matched by age and gender. Volumetric analyses were performed on the basis of 3 Tesla high resolution Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found, that the PGV was significantly smaller in obese individuals than in lean controls (P=0.036). Moreover, PGV and waist-hip ratio showed a significant negative association in controls (P=0.018, rs=-0.602) whereas no association of both variables was found in obese individuals (P=0.856, rs=-0.051).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Thus, the current pilot investigation suggests that pineal gland function, reflected by PGV might be involved in the energy homeostasis and pathophysiological mechanisms that contribute to the development and the maintenance of obesity in humans. Moreover, our data supports the notion that the replacement of melatonin deficits might be a novel strategy in the treatment of obesity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Addictive Behaviour and Addiction Medicine, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim/University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Grosshans
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vollmert
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vollstaedt-Klein
authors.forename: Ingo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Nolte
authors.forename: Emanuel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Schwarz
authors.forename: Xenija
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leweke
authors.forename: Jochen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mutschler
authors.forename: Falk
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kiefer
authors.forename: Jan Malte
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Bumb
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008550:Melatonin / Q000097:blood; D009765:Obesity / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009929:Organ Size / Q000502:physiology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012016:Reference Values; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology; D013223:Statistics as Topic
chemical_list: D008550:Melatonin