The Chemistry of Scoliosis

Introduction

Scoliosis is the curvature of the spine. Most people develop it genetically and start to notice it during puberty. Scoliosis has affected my life because I found out I had it when I was in 6th grade. When I found out my spine was curved at 23 degrees and I ended up having to get surgery 3 years later when they noticed that my spine was curved at 49 degrees. I chose this topic because it was interesting to me to know all the hormones released from the brain when you have scoliosis.

Composition of ...

Melatonin

  • Formula: C13H16N2O2
  • Mass: 232.278g/mol
  • found in animals, plants, fungi and bacteria

Growth hormones

    • depending on the gender and growth of a person the curving of the spine can progress faster than usua

Main Chemicals, Compounds, Components

Melatonin:

Formula: C13H16N2O2

Mass: 232.278g/mol

Growth hormones:

depending

Chemistry's Role

    • Scoliosis is basically naturally occurring
    • it can and most of the time is genetic
  • A lot of hormones are released

Background Research

Scoliosis is genetically occurring and can be developed over time. It occurs often in teens going through puberty.

Resources

http://www.prleap.com/pr/231667/new-study-links-scoliosis-and-brain-chemical

scoliosis is the complex lateral and rotational curvature and deformity of the spine

3-5% of US population is affected by this

there are many symptoms of scoliosis

back pain

curve of the spine

off center head position

hips or shoulders are uneven

crooked rib cage

chest pressure and pain

prone to fatigue

rolling gait

potential scoliosis treatments

http://www.iscoliosis.com/print.php?page=articles-gene.html

scoliosis is genetic

caused by neurological or hormones

they related other genes to the one that is causing scoliosis

it could be caused by a change in the chromosomes (broken)

hereditary exostoses

pregnancy complications

they think there is a major gene that is responsible for this disformtiy

once they find out what gene it is they could eventually find a legit treatment

they do not believe there will ever be a medical drug to cure this

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melatonin

there are many hormones causing scoliosis

Melatonin

Formula: C13H16N2O2

Mass: 232.278g/mol

found in animals, plants, fungi and bacteria

http://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/En/ResourceCentres/Scoliosis-Parents/AboutScoliosis/Pages/What-Causes-Scoliosis.aspx

if the growth hormone is at a higher level, the melatonin hormone is at a lower level

researchers say that if a patient has a lower level of melatonin then they are more than likely to get scoliosis

scoliosis can rapidly get worse for teenagers going thru puberty

http://talk.baltimoresun.com/topic/230590-scoliosis-and-brain-chemical-imbalances/

some doctors say that the neurotrasmitters in your body are not doing their “job” of communitcating correctly, therefore the spine will curve

The Composition of SCOLIOSIS

Melatonin

Formula: C13H16N2O2

Mass: 232.278g/mol

found in animals, plants, fungi and bacteria

growth hormones

depending on the gender and growth of a person the curving of the spine can progress faster than usual

About the Author

Shelby Schoening is a junior at Billings Senior High School and plans to go to college at Montana State University to be an ultrasound tech. She loves to learn about chemistry and how much it is involved in our everyday life. Shelby had scoliosis and her spine was curved at 49 degrees and she ended up having surgery to get it fixed. Her spine is now curved at 9 degrees. She is here to teach you everything you need to know about the chemistry of scoliosis!!!