Copper deficiency myelopathy produces a clinical picture like subacute combined degeneration
Kumar N, Gross JB, Ahlskog JE
Published in Neurology, Vol. 63 (1), pp. 33-9
Methodology
Record review of 13 patients with copper deficiency-associated myelopathy, 11 of them found in a 15-month period.
Key Findings
All had gait difficulty from sensory ataxia and leg spasticity, and all had polyneuropathy. Serum zinc was high or high-normal in 7 of 11 tested. Copper restored normal or near-normal levels in 10 of 12 followed patients, and prevented further deterioration with variable improvement.
Conclusions
Unrecognized copper deficiency may be a common cause of unexplained myelopathy in adults, resembling vitamin B12 subacute combined degeneration.
Limitations
Small uncontrolled case series with no comparison group; the cause was unexplained in most patients.
Supplements Studied
Copper supplementation prevented further neurologic deterioration, but the degree of actual improvement was variable.
Related Health Concerns
Study Details
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