The pineal gland, melatonin and scoliosis

Over the past 25 years, chicken studies implicated experimental pinealectomy as acause of scoliosis. The nature of the scoliosis was demonstrated to be similar to that of human idiopathic scoliosis. Subsequent research involved a primate (Rhesus monkey) experimental pinealectomy model. Scoliosis was not induced by pinealectomy. In a recent Australian study, no causal link was established between pineal lesions and the development of idiopathic scoliosis. Melatonin is the only known hormone secreted by the pineal gland in humans. Previous research concluded that melatonin secretion was similar in those with idiopathic scoliosis and aged-matched controls. A recent Korean study concluded that permanent melatonin deficiency was not a causative factor in the aetiology of (AIS) adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Over a period of 25 years, research involving the production of scoliosis following pinealectomy in small animal models has not been reproducible in the human model. The search for a scientifically sound human model to investigate the etiology of idiopathic scoliosis continues