E-MOVE Research News
Subject: Dystonia: Metal Accumulation in the Basal Ganglia
Date: 10/11/1999
Increased tissue copper and manganese content in the lentiform nucleus in primary adult-onset dystonia
G Becker, D Berg, WD Rausch, HKW Lange, P Riederer, K Reiners
Ann Neurol 1999;46:260-263
Copper, and to a lesser extent manganese, are present at elevated levels in basal ganglia structures in primary adult-onset dystonia, according to this study.
Chemical analysis of brain tissue from three patients with sporadic dystonia (two torticollis, one generalized) and 10 control brains showed a 2-3 fold elevation of copper in the globus pallidus and putamen. Differences in manganese were less dramatic, but significant for the thalamus and putamen. No significant differences were found for iron, zinc, or calcium.
The authors conclude, "Our data show for the first time an accumulation of trace metal concentrations in the subcortical nuclei associated with the basal ganglia circuitry in primary dystonia," and suggest their data may explain some types of imaging abnormalities seen in the basal ganglia in dystonia.
