Response of pineal gland in clinical cases of psychological stress.

The present study includes 50 patients suffering from psychological stress disorders like thyrotoxicosis and anxiety neurosis. Biochemical estimation of melatonin was done in all these cases prior to treatment and 3 months after appropriate treatment. A significant increase in the level of melatonin was observed in thyrotoxic and anxiety neurotic cases. In all these cases, after therapy the level of melatonin was found to be within the normal limits. These observations confirm the finding that there is a pineal response to psychic stress.