A rare hereditary disease caused by a defect in the body's ability to metabolize copper that results in an accumulation of copper deposits in organs such as the brain, liver, and kidneys.
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A disease characterized by abnormal accumulation of copper in the brain, liver, etc.
After Samuel Alexander KinnierWilson (1877–1937), British neurologist
From
American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
Wilson-s-disease Sentence Examples
For example, a disorder known as hemochromatosis leads to iron toxicity, while Wilson's disease results in copper toxicity.
Severe alterations in copper metabolism occur in two genetic diseases, Wilson's disease and Menkes disease.
Children born into families with a history of Wilson's disease should have a blood test for the disease at some point in their second year of life, before symptoms of the disease develop.
In addition to a deficiency in blood plasma of a protein known as ceruloplasmin, Wilson's disease is characterized by gold or greenish-gold discolorations of the cornea of the eye known as Kayser-Fleischer rings.
The clinical symptoms of Wilson's disease do not appear in young children; however, measurements of serum ceruloplasmin can be taken in children over 12 months of age if a family history of Wilson's disease is a risk factor.