Neuroinflammatory and behavioural changes in Atp7b knockout mice, an animal model for Morbus Wilson

Morbus Wilson is caused by a mutation in the copper transporting ATPase 7b (Atp7b), which is necessary for copper transport from the liver. This causes copper accumulation in the liver and initial deficiency in other organs, later followed by accumulation as a result of copper overflow from the damaged liver. Patients present with hepatitis, liver cirrhrosis and cancer in late childhood and Parkinson-like or psychiatric symptoms in adulthood. Rat and mouse models for Morbus Wilson so far mainly focussed on liver disease and not on the neurological symptoms. We investigated the effect of knockout of atp7b on sens…