Changes of copper-transporting proteins and ceruloplasmin in the lentiform nuclei in primary adult-onset dystonia.

A recent study reported an increase of brain tissue copper content in the lentiform nuclei of patients with primary adult-onset dystonia. In this study we analyze copper-metabolizing proteins (Menkes protein, Wilson protein, ceruloplasmin) by Western blot analysis in frozen brain tissue (lentiform nuclei) of 3 patients with primary dystonia. Menkes protein was reduced in all patients, while Wilson protein and ceruloplasmin were increased in the 2 patients with focal dystonia and reduced in the patient with generalized dystonia. Our data provides further evidence for a disturbance of copper metabolism in primary dystonia.