[New information on the histopathology of Vilyui encephalomyelitis: possible role of copper deficiency].

The nature of a pathological process in the central nervous system in Vilyui encephalomyelitis defines it as a specific entity of demyelinative encephalomyelitis with a drastic prevalence of an alternative component. The bulk of the nerve parenchyma dies from circulatory incompetence due to blood vascular diseases, which are typical of the disease, as a peculiar angiopathy and progressive reduction in the microcirculatory bed. Homeostatic disorders in the myelinic membranes of central nervous fibers were found to be of value. The maintenance of homeostasis is implicated by adequate oligodendroglial function and copper metabolism. The inhabitants of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) are demonstrated to have oligodendroglial hypoplasia and exogenous and endogenous copper deficiency. This is suggested by low copper amounts in the natural environmental objects and in the hair of patients with chronic Vilyui encephalomyelitis.