By Rebecca Coughlin

The Pineal Gland

Is a small pine cone-shaped endocrine gland located near the center of the brain and attached to the posterior end of the roof of the third

ventricle in the brain. It is stimulated by nerves from the eyes.

Melatonin: Hormone produced by the Pineal Gland

• Amine Hormone; derived from tryptophan

• Target receptors are located in plasma membrane; uses second-messenger system

• Regulates human sleep-wake cycles

• Stimulated by darkness, inhibited by light

• Suspected to affect reproductive functions

• Linked to onset of puberty

SAD (Season Affective Disorder)

Caused when too much

melatonin is produced, especially

during the long nights of

winter, causing profound

depression, oversleeping, weight gain, tiredness, or

sadness. Treatment consists of exposure to bright lights for several

hours each day to inhibit melatonin

production.

Melatonin supplements can be taken to help combat:

• Jet Lag• Insomnia of the elderly

• Various Sleep Disorders•and more

Steady exposure to light can disrupt the natural production of melatonin and disrupt the body’s biological clock and cause sleeping problems.

1) Where is melatonin produced? -the pineal gland

2) What stimulates the Pineal Gland? –darkness/night

3) What type of hormone is Melatonin? –amine hormone

4) What does Melatonin regulate? -the sleep-wake cycle/ biological clock

5) What disorder is caused by too much melatonin? -seasonal affective disorder

Quiz