scholarly journals Age-Related Changes of the Pineal Gland in Humans: A Digital Anatomo-Histological Morphometric Study on Autopsy Cases with Comparison to Predigital-Era Studies

Medicina ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 383
Author(s):  
Bogdan-Alexandru Gheban ◽  
Horațiu Alexandru Colosi ◽  
Ioana-Andreea Gheban-Rosca ◽  
Bogdan Pop ◽  
Ana-Maria Teodora Domșa ◽  
...  

Background and objectives: The pineal gland is a photoneuroendocrine organ in the midline of the brain, responsible primarily for melatonin synthesis. It is composed mainly of pinealocytes and glial tissue. This study examined human postmortem pineal glands to microscopically assess age-related changes using digital techniques, and offers a perspective on evolutionary tendencies compared to the past. Materials and Methods: A retrospective autopsy study has been performed on 72 pediatric and adult autopsy cases. The glands have been processed for histological analysis and immunohistochemical staining with glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Slides were assessed under polarized light and digitally scanned. Morphometric data were obtained using CaseViewer and ImageJ. Results: Thirty-three females and 39 males were included in the study, grouped under three age groups: 0–25, 46–65, and 66–96 years of age. The peak gland volume was found within the 46–65 age group, the overall mean volume was 519 mm3, the main architectural types were lobular and insular, and the mean percentage of pineal calcification was 15% of the gland, peaking within the 66–96 age group, with a predominantly globular shape. Glial cysts were found in 20.8% of cases. The intensity of GFAP stain was maximal in the pediatric age group, but the extent of glial tissue was much larger in elderly patients. Discussion: The degenerative process of the pineal gland can be quantified by measuring normal parenchyma, calcifications, glial tissue, and glial cysts. Morphometric differences have been observed and compared to a similar studies performed in the published literature. The current study, unfortunately, lacks a 26–45 age group. Digital techniques seemed to offer a more exact analysis, but returned similar results to studies performed over 40 years ago, therefore offering important information on evolutionary tendencies. Conclusions: Increase in glial tissue, calcifications, and glial cysts have a defining role as age-related changes in the pineal gland.

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 61-67
Author(s):  
Fatema Johora ◽  
Abu Sadat Mohammad Nurunnabi ◽  
Dilruba Siddiqua ◽  
Hasna Hena ◽  
Shamim Ara

Background: Changes in the size of the kidney are evident in humans, as age progresses. Objective: To see the age-related changes in the morphological dimensions of the kidney in a sample of the Bangladeshi population. Methods: This crosssectional study was done in the Department of Anatomy, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka, from July 2008 to June 2009, based on a collection of 140 postmortem human kidneys collected from 70 unclaimed dead bodies from the morgue of the same institution. All the samples of kidney were divided into three age groups, including A (10-19 years), B (20-39 years) and C (40-59 years). The length, breadth and thickness of all the kidneys were measured by using a slide calipers and recorded. Data were expressed as mean±SD. For statistical analysis, independent sample t test and one way ANOVA was used. Results: The length of the right and left kidneys found were 8.72±0.25 cm and 9.28±0.12 cm; 9.73±0.35 cm and 10.31±0.41 cm; 9.68±0.21 cm and 10.24±0.06 cm in group A, B and C respectively. The breadth of the right and left kidneys found were 4.32±0.09 cm and 4.22±0.11 cm; 4.74±0.29 cm and 4.55±0.28 cm; 4.61±0.21 cm and 4.44±0.21 cm in group A, B and C respectively. The thickness of the right and left kidneys found were 2.84±0.10 cm and 2.64±0.05 cm; 3.31±0.16 cm and 3.11±0.10 cm; 3.17±0.07 cm and 3.11±0.10 cm in group A, B and C respectively. The mean length of the left kidneys was found significantly greater than that of the right , whereas the mean breadth and the thickness of the right kidneys were found greater than that of the left kidney in all age groups. Moreover, age related changes were significant in all dimensions (length, breadth and thickness) of the kidney when compared between group A & B and A & C. Conclusion: This study results concluded that the length of the left kidney was greater than that of the right, but the breadth and the thickness of the right kidney were greater than that of the left one in all age groups. In addition, age related changes in all dimensions (i.e. length, breadth and thickness) of the kidneys were evident in middle age versus young adult and older adult versus young adult. J Bangladesh Soc Physiol. 2020, December; 15(2): 61-67


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 2341
Author(s):  
Ivo Dobrev ◽  
Daniel Dillinger ◽  
Letizia Meier ◽  
Dorothe Veraguth ◽  
Flurin Pfiffner ◽  
...  

A retrospective analysis to quantify age-related changes of the incudo-malleolar joint (IMJ) and incudo-stapedial joint (ISJ), and to analyse changes in the air-bone gap (ABG) with age, was performed. Defined histologic parameters of 153 IMJ and 106 ISJ from subjects aged from birth to 70 years were correlated to age. Additionally, audiograms of 1760 ears of 974 other subjects aged 20 to 80 years were retrospectively analysed and the ABG was correlated to age. The joint space (age group from 0 to 10 compared to 61 to 70 years) became significantly wider with age (IMJ: from a mean of 44 µm to 100 µm, p < 0.001; ISJ: from a mean of 28 µm to 69 µm, p < 0.009. The thickness of cartilage of the incus decreased in the first 20 years of life (IMJ, from a mean of 88 µm to 65 µm, p < 0.01; ISJ: from a mean of 44 µm to 35 µm, p < 0.01). The ABGs of younger ears (20–40 years) was significantly larger at 500 Hz compared to older ears (60–80 years) by 2–4 dB, while it was significantly smaller by 3–5 dB at 4000 Hz (p < 0.0017). Interindividual variations in all age groups were large for both analyses. The increased joint spaces could potentially reduce the stiffness in the joints and explain the increase in ABG at 4000 Hz and the drop at 500 Hz. While the average change is small and of minimal clinical relevance, a larger increase of ABG with age is seen in some subjects.


2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 514-521
Author(s):  
V. V. Mizin ◽  
V. P. Lyashenko ◽  
S. M. Lukashov

In the ontogenesis process, the cerebral cortex undergoes age-related changes. So far as, unlike practically all other systems of mammalian organs, the brain continues to develop and receive new functionality in the postnatal period. Thus with age, there are changes in the bioelectric characteristics of the neocortex. The purpose of the research is to determine the age and sex changes in the bioelectric activity of the cerebral visual cortex of male and female rats of different ages. In the article, we examined changes in absolute (μV2) and normalized (%) indicators of electrical activity of the visual area of rats of different sexes in four age groups: juvenile, young, mature, and presenile age. The research was carried out by the method of registration of bioelectric activity of electrocorticograms (ECoG). Results of multifactorial dispersion analysis of absolute and normalized ECoG indicators of the visual area of the cerebral cortex of rats of all ages showed that there were reliable changes in the frequency-amplitude characteristics of bioelectric activity related to age. At a young age, males have probably lower absolute and normalized power of the delta-rhythm and the normalized beta-like rhythm rate. There was a tendency of decrease in the theta-rhythm. As a result of this redistribution of rhythms a desynchronization of the electrical activity of young males was observed. Mature males have lower absolute power indicators than younger age groups. According to normalized indicators, a synchronization of rhythms of males in the mature age group was observed, which together with values of absolute power can indicate a decrease of the functional activity level of the neocortex and an increase of the influence of endogenous mechanisms on neuronal activity of the visual area of the cerebral cortex. In the presenile age, there was a desynchronization of rhythms. The indicators of an absolute and normalized power of females in the young age group pointed to the synchronization of the bioecoactivity of the neocortex. Among the low-frequency waves, theta-rhythm rhythm dominated in the females of young age. In the mature and presenile age females, there was a probable increase in the percentage of normalized parameters of high-frequency beta waves. The predominance of this rhythm may indicate an increase of cortical tone. The correlation of values of absolute and normalized indicators of bioelectric activity affirmed the desynchronization of the ECoG rhythms of females of mature and presenile age. Sex differences are expressed by a decrease in the absolute power of all ECoG rhythms of the visual area of the cerebral cortex of females relative to males. The age-related changes occurred in a different way in rats of different sex. At a young age, males had desynchronization of rhythms, and females had synchronization, in the mature age it was vice versa. The age changes of the electric activity of the cerebral visual cortex of rats in our opinion may be largely associated with involutional changes of various neurotransmitter and hormonal systems.


2011 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-40
Author(s):  
Michelle Foley ◽  
Fiona E. Gibbon ◽  
Susan Peppé

Objective: To develop the Irish-English version of the Profiling Elements of Prosody in Speech-Communication (PEPS-C) assessment, identify the normal prosodic performance of typically developing children aged 5–11 years on the PEPS-C assessment, and identify significant age-related changes between different age groups. Method: Thirty typically developing children between the ages of 5;9 and 11;1 years completed the PEPS-C assessment, which involved both receptive and expressive tasks. Results: Significant differences were found between the youngest group’s prosodic performance and the two older groups. The 5- to 6-year-old age group performed less well than the 10- to 11-year-old age group (p < 0.05). The 10- to 11-year-old age group performed above chance level on all prosodic tasks. Conclusion: While 5- and 6-year-old children have acquired some functional prosodic skills, there are further developments between the ages of 5;9 and 9;5, with some aspects of prosody continuing to develop up to 11 years.


2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 8-15
Author(s):  
P. A. Agapov ◽  
I. N. Bogolepova ◽  
L. I. Malofeeva

The aim of the work is to study changes in the profile field of pyramidal neurons in the cortex of field 7 of the brain of men and women in the aging process. A cytoarchitectonic study of the cortex of field 7 of the upper parietal region of the brain of men and women was carried out on a series of frontal paraffin sections stained by the Nissl method. The brain preparations of men and women of three age groups were studied: the groups of mature age (from 20 to 60 years), the elderly group (from 60 to 75 years) and the group of senile age (from 75 years and older). In each age group, 5 preparations of the male brain and 5 preparations of the female brain were studied. Age-related changes in the cytoarchitectonics of the profile field of pyramidal neurons in the cytoarchitectonic layers of the third and fifth cortex fields 7 of the brain of men and women were studied. As a result of the study, it was revealed that in the process of aging of the brain of men and women, changes in similar morphometric indicators of field 7 cortex occur at different age periods, the dynamics of age-related changes in functionally different cytoarchitectonic layers III and V of the cerebral cortex of men and women are also different.


2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 51-55
Author(s):  
A. Y. Sleptsov ◽  
D. K. Garmaeva ◽  
D. S. Belolyubskaya

The pineal gland is a functionally light-dependent organ located in different conditions depending on living in different latitudes. Insufficient data on the morphological and functional state of the human pineal gland under various living conditions constitute a significant gap in the study of the pineal gland. A morphological study of the epiphysis of the indigenous population of different age groups was carried out, obtained during of autopsies on in the pathology department of the National Center of Medicine of Yakutsk (Republic of Sakha). The methods of morphometric analysis with the calculation of indicators of the area of pinealocyte karyons and the quantitative assessment of pineal gland parenchyma cells were used. The data obtained show age-related changes in morphological and functional activity, including changes in the size of light and dark cell karyons in the oldest age group. The largest deviations were observed among dark cells, probably indicating their transition and replenishment of active secreting pinealocytes against the background of a general decrease in the number of cells associated with fibrosis and organ calcification. In the group of 6069 years old, there is an increase in the number of gliocytes, significant compared with the younger age group. In the group of the oldest age, a sharp decrease in their number is noted. Age-related morphological and functional changes in the pineal gland in the indigenous population of Yakutia are most evident at the age of 60-69 and include signs of a decrease in the functional activity of pinealocytes, progressive calcification of the pineal gland, accumulation of neural pigment and proliferation of connective tissue, with the formation of a stromal type of structure.


2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-22
Author(s):  
Halima Afroz ◽  
Abu Sadat Mohammad Nurunnabi ◽  
Mushfika Rahman ◽  
Kanij Fatema ◽  
Shamim Ara

Background: The pineal gland (epiphysis cerebri) contains cords and follicles of pinealocytes and neuroglia.Objective: To determine the number of the pinealocytes and neuroglial cells per sq. mm of microscopic field in different age group in a Bangladeshi population to view the age related change.Methods: This cross-sectional study was done in the Department of Anatomy, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka, from July 2009 to June 2010, based on the collection of 60 pineal glands from whole human brains of unclaimed dead bodies from the morgue. All the samples were divided into four age-groups: 15-30 years, 31-40 years, 41-50 years and >50 years. Histological slides were prepared by using routine Harris’ Haematoxylin and Eosin (H & E) stain. The number of pinealocytes and neuroglial cells per sq. mm of the microscopic field were determined by point counting technique, using ocular micrometer. For statistical analysis, ANOVA and independent sample t test were used.Results: The mean number of pinealocytes and neuroglial cells were found 10875.00±649.75 and 606.31±94.52 in group15-30 years, 9738.83±761.35 and 631.57±94.52 in group31-40 years 31-40 years, 9637.78±382.02 and 568.41±69.57 in group 41-50 years and 8134.64±358.07 and766.31±248.00 in group >50 respectively. Age related significant differences were found in number of pinealocytes in 15-30 years vs 31-40 years, 15-30 years vs 41-50, 15-30 years vs >50, 31-40 years vs >50 and 41-50 vs >50 years. However, no differences were found in number of neuroglial cells among different age groups.Conclusion: This study showed progressive degeneration of pinealocytes with advancing age. However, no age related changes were found in number of neuroglial cells.Bangladesh Soc Physiol. 2016, June; 11(1): 18-22


2021 ◽  
pp. 036354652110398
Author(s):  
Philipp A. Michel ◽  
Christoph J. Domnick ◽  
Michael J. Raschke ◽  
Anna Hoffmann ◽  
Christoph Kittl ◽  
...  

Background: The microvascular anatomy of the meniscus of the human knee is regarded as a crucial factor in the injury response. Previous studies have investigated the zone-dependent distribution pattern, but no quantitative data exist on vascular density and its age-related changes. Hypothesis/Purpose: The aim of the present study was to histologically analyze the vascular anatomy of the meniscus as a function of age. It was hypothesized that vascular density would decrease with increasing age. Study Design: Descriptive laboratory study. Methods: Human menisci were retrieved from patients who underwent tumor resection or who received total knee replacement because of osteoarthritis. A total of 51 menisci were collected from 28 patients over 9 years (mean age, 25.6 ± 20.4 years; range 3-79 years). Immunohistological staining (alpha–smooth muscle actin) in combination with serial sections and standardized software-based contrast detection were used for the quantitative analysis. Data were analyzed using multiple t tests and the analysis of variance for trends, with a statistical significance level of P < .05. Results: The overall vascular density in the meniscus was lower in the 61- to 80-year age group than in the age groups of 0 to 10, 11 to 20, and 21 to 30 years ( P < .01). A negative linear trend was detected with increasing age (slope, -0.007; P = .016). Within the red-white (RW) zone, a low vessel density was detected for the age groups of 0 to 10 and 11 to 20 years. Beyond these age groups, no vasculature was found in the RW zone. For the white-white (WW) zone, no vessel formations were noted in any age group. Almost 95% of the vessels in the meniscus were located in the capsule. Conclusion: This study reports quantitative histological data for microvascular anatomy as a function of age in a broad cohort of human knee menisci. The overall vascular density decreased with increasing age. No vessel formations were detected in the RW and WW zones after adolescence. Additionally, the capsule is far more densely vascularized than any other part of the meniscus. Clinical Relevance: Vascular density might be an additional factor to consider, along with tear location and patient age, for future treatment options.


2001 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 556-559 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaime Inostroza ◽  
Ana Maria Vinet ◽  
Gloria Retamal ◽  
Pedro Lorca ◽  
Gonzalo Ossa ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT All clinical S. pneumoniae specimens isolated from patients with invasive or sterile-site infections admitted to one regional general hospital in southern Chile were collected during a 5-year period (February 1994 to September 1999). A total of 247 strains belonging to 50 serotypes were isolated in this survey: 69 in patients under 5 years of age, 129 in patients 5 to 64 years old, and 49 from patients 65 years and older. Eight serotypes were identified in all age groups, while all other serotypes were found exclusively in one age group or in patients over 4 years of age. Serotype 3 was never found in patients under 5 years old, and serotype 14 was not found in patients >64 years of age. There was no difference in the serotypes causing infection in each one of the 5 years of the survey. Our results suggest that both bacterial virulence factors and host factors play an important role in the selection of S. pneumoniae serotypes causing invasive infection. Possible host factors include age-related differences in the immune response. Comparative studies with other areas of the world may help to further understanding of our observations in southern Chile.


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