The Connection of the Pineal Cyst with the Peculiarities of the Structure of the Brain and the Presence of Certain Personality Traits

Aim. To study the psychological characteristics and microstructural changes of the brain, according to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), in healthy volunteers with pineal cyst to determine their clinical significance.

Design. A prospective case — control study.

Materials and methods. The study involved conditionally healthy volunteers. Based on brain MRI data, study groups were formed: the main group consisted of 33 people with pineal cyst, the control group consisted of 30 people with normal epiphysis structure. The groups were comparable in gender and age. We conducted neurological examination, experimental psychological and neuropsychological examinations, MRI of the brain with post-processing of the data obtained by MR Voxel-based morphometry, determination of the level of melatonin in saliva using enzyme immunoassay.

Results. The results of experimental psychological and neuropsychological examinations have shown the tendency of people with a pineal cyst to be absorbed in worries, thoughts about something, as well as to express anxiety. According to MR Voxel-based morphometry, it was found that during cystic transformation of the pineal gland, there are zones of increased cortical thickness in both parietal lobes, each of which is located in the central sections of the postcentral gyrus on the left and the superior parietal gyrus on the right.

Conclusion. Psychological features in the presence of a pineal cyst indicate the need to include an experimental psychological examination in the protocol of patient management to identify risk groups for affective disorders. The data obtained by us on microstructural changes in the cortex of the parietal lobes during cystic transformation of the epiphysis indicate the variability of the normal structure of the brain substance and require further clarification.

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