Wilson’s disease

A rare, inherited disorder in which copper accumulates in the liver, resulting in conditions such as hepatitis and cirrhosis. Copper is slowly released into other body parts, damaging the brain, causing mild intellectual impairment, and leading to debilitating rigidity, tremor, and dementia. Symptoms usually appear in adolescence but can occur much earlier or later. Lifelong treatment with penicillamine is needed and, if begun soon enough, can sometimes produce some improvement. If the disease is discovered before the onset of symptoms, the drug may prevent them from developing.