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The Pineal Gland and its Endocrine Role pp 521–533Cite as

Melatonin Secretion — A Biological Marker for Human Pineal Adrenergic Function

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Part of the book series: NATO Advanced Science Institutes Series ((NSSA,volume 65))

Abstract

Spanning the last 20 years, hundreds of anatomical and pharmacological studies have indicated that melatonin secretion by the mammalian pineal gland is an ideal “biological marker” for adrenergic function, the endogenous circadian pacemaker, and the effects of light. Nighttime beta-adrenergic stimulation of melatonin synthesis provides the theoretical basis for using the pineal as a model of adrenergic function. The biochemical steps resulting in melatonin synthesis appear to be intricately coordinated.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Psychiatry, Pharmacology and Ophthalmology Oregon Health Sciences, University Portland, Oregon, USA

    Alfred J. Lewy

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  1. Alfred J. Lewy
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA

    J. Axelrod

  2. University of Milan, Milan, Italy

    F. Fraschini

  3. University of Verona, Verona, Italy

    G. P. Velo

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© 1983 Springer Science+Business Media New York

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Lewy, A.J. (1983). Melatonin Secretion — A Biological Marker for Human Pineal Adrenergic Function. In: Axelrod, J., Fraschini, F., Velo, G.P. (eds) The Pineal Gland and its Endocrine Role. NATO Advanced Science Institutes Series, vol 65. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-1451-7_27

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-1451-7_27

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4757-1453-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4757-1451-7

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