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From the patent for the soon-to-be-released (hopefully) scoliosis blood test......

"The present invention also encompasses the monitoring of the biomarkers disclosed herein to assess the efficacy of numerous approaches to prevent scoliosis and curve progression such as any physical therapies (e.g. postural exercises, physiotherapies, biomechanical stimulations by manipulation or using specific devices e.g. vibrant plates); the monitoring of bracing efficacy or development of novel braces; the monitoring of new surgical devices with or without fusion of vertebras, and the monitoring of the efficacy of specific diet, nutraceutical and/or pharmacological scoliosis spine treatments.

Without being so limited, the first measure after the braces have been applied could be performed 1 month later to determine for instance whether the braces are well adjusted and determine whether the patient is compliant to the treatment. Thereafter, the monitoring could be performed every three to six months depending on whether high OPN levels are detected or not. This method of the present invention may advantageously reduces the requirement for x-rays. X-rays could be performed for instance only at visits where OPN levels detected are too high.

Any amount of a pharmaceutical and/or nutraceutical and/or dietary supplement compositions can be administered to a subject. The dosages will depend on many factors including the mode of administration. Typically, the amount of anti-scoliosis composition (e.g. osteopontin inhibitor or selenium compound) contained within a single dose will be an amount that effectively prevents, delays or reduces scoliosis without inducing significant toxicity "therapeutically effective amount".

 The effective amount of the osteopontin inhibitor or selenium compound may also be measured directly. The effective amount may be given daily or weekly or fractions thereof. Typically, a pharmaceutical and/or nutraceutical and/or dietary supplement composition of the invention can be administered in an amount from about 0.001 mg up to about 500 mg per kg of body weight per day (e.g., 10 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg, or 250 mg).

Plasma selenium concentration was thus measured in pediatric populations (AIS vs. healthy controls) to determine whether or not low selenium levels correlate with higher OPN concentrations in AIS.  Results  show a correlation between high OPN levels and low selenium levels in scoliotic and asymptomatic at risk children."

200 micrograms of selenium (L-selenomethionine to be exact) may turn out to be a key factor in slowing or eliminating the risk of rapid progression in adolescents with scoliotic curves.  Yet-to-be-released research has found the high levels of a cytokine called osteopontin (OPN) is very highly correlated with rapid curve progression.  I'm not sure if they have been able to determine if the increased OPN is a trigger or a signal, but in either case, therapeutic doses of selenium (200 micrograms) a day may have a significant effect on naturally driving down levels of OPN. 

A few words of caution.  Don't exceed 200 micrograms of selenium a day.  While the upper tolerable levels are closer to 400 micrograms a day, more isn't necessarily better and their are side-effects to over doses of selenium. 

Also, I would definitely recommend taking the selenium following a full meal.  Like any mineral supplement, it could cause an upset stomach if you take it on an empty stomach.

The blood test measuring OPN levels should be available by the end of the 2010, but they also said that it would be ready by the end of 2008 a couple of years back as well.

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