Who is wilsons disease named after

Genetics Home Reference has merged with MedlinePlus. Learn more. The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health. Wilson disease. From Genetics Home Reference. Description Wilson disease is an inherited disorder in which excessive amounts of copper accumulate in the body, particularly in the liver, brain, and eyes.

Frequency Wilson disease is a rare disorder that affects approximately 1 in 30, individuals. Inheritance This condition is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern , which means both copies of the gene in each cell have mutations. Research Studies from ClinicalTrials.

References Aggarwal A, Bhatt M. Update on Wilson disease. If you receive only one abnormal gene, you won't become ill yourself, but you're a carrier and can pass the gene to your children.

You can be at increased risk of Wilson's disease if your parents or siblings have the condition. Ask your doctor whether you should undergo genetic testing to find out if you have Wilson's disease. Diagnosing the condition as early as possible dramatically increases the chances of successful treatment. A normal liver left shows no signs of scarring. In cirrhosis right , scar tissue replaces normal liver tissue.

Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview The liver Open pop-up dialog box Close. The liver The liver is your largest internal organ. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Copper can have toxic effects on the nervous system. In cases where the disorder is not fatal, symptoms may be disabling. Liver failure and damage to the central nervous system brain, spinal cord are the most common and dangerous effects of the disorder.

If the disease is not caught and treated early, it can be fatal. Call your provider if you have symptoms of Wilson disease. Call a genetic counselor if you have a history of Wilson disease in your family and you are planning to have children.

Wilson disease. Updated November Accessed November 3, Roberts EA. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; chap Schilsky ML. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. Updated by: Anna C.

You might want to check your water levels at home, too. There may be extra copper in your water if your home has copper pipes. Medications can take anywhere from four to six months to work in a person who is experiencing symptoms. The success rate for liver transplants is 85 percent after one year. How to prepare for a liver biopsy ». A few medical centers have clinical trials for a new drug called WTX It carries a chemical named tetrathiomolybdate, which keeps the body from absorbing copper.

Click here to find more information on a center in your area. Early treatment can help reverse neurological issues and liver damage. People in the advanced stages may have to learn how to manage their symptoms over the course of their life.

The biggest indicator for this condition is family history, but the mutated gene can skip a generation. You may want to ask for a genetic test alongside the other tests your doctor will schedule. Medication includes chelating agents and zinc and may take up to six months to work. Uncoordinated movement may be a sign of disrupted communication between the brain and body.

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A uric acid blood test determines how much uric acid is in your blood.