Wilson's disease with depression and parkinsonism

J Clin Neurosci. 2005 Apr;12(3):303-5. doi: 10.1016/j.jocn.2004.09.005.

Abstract

Wilson's disease (WD) is an autosomal recessive disorder with reduced biliary excretion of copper plus impaired formation of ceruloplasmin, leading to copper accumulation in the liver, brain, kidney, and cornea. Clinical manifestations include liver damage, psychiatric symptoms, and neurological features. We report a 35-year-old woman with a history of deranged liver functions who had severe depression several years later and eventually presented with parkinsonian features. The underlying diagnosis is WD and family screening revealed WD in 2 other siblings. She could not tolerate penicillamine because of fever and leucopenia. While taking trientine hydrochloride and zinc sulphate, her parkinsonism improved and her depression remained in remission. WD should be considered in patients with unexplained liver function derangement or psychiatric symptoms. Early diagnosis and initiation of specific treatment are crucial in minimising any further cerebral and hepatic damage as well as securing possible improvement in organ functions.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antiparkinson Agents / therapeutic use
  • Brain / pathology
  • Bromocriptine / therapeutic use
  • Chelating Agents / therapeutic use
  • Depressive Disorder / complications*
  • Depressive Disorder / pathology
  • Depressive Disorder / psychology
  • Female
  • Hepatolenticular Degeneration / complications*
  • Hepatolenticular Degeneration / pathology
  • Hepatolenticular Degeneration / psychology
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Parkinsonian Disorders / complications*
  • Parkinsonian Disorders / pathology
  • Parkinsonian Disorders / psychology
  • Penicillamine / therapeutic use
  • Suicide, Attempted
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Trientine / therapeutic use
  • Trihexyphenidyl / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antiparkinson Agents
  • Chelating Agents
  • Bromocriptine
  • Trihexyphenidyl
  • Penicillamine
  • Trientine