CNS demyelination associated with copper deficiency and hyperzincemia

Neurology. 2002 Nov 12;59(9):1453-6. doi: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000032497.30439.f6.

Abstract

CNS demyelination is not a previously reported feature of acquired copper deficiency. The authors report two patients with idiopathic hypocupremia and hyperzincemia, hematologic changes of copper deficiency, and extensive CNS demyelination. Hematologic recovery followed copper supplementation, both initially and after relapse off copper therapy, while serum zinc levels remained high and the neurologic abnormalities only stabilized.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Brain / pathology
  • Copper / deficiency*
  • Demyelinating Diseases / blood*
  • Demyelinating Diseases / etiology*
  • Demyelinating Diseases / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Zinc / blood*

Substances

  • Copper
  • Zinc