Copper deficiency myelopathy (human swayback)

Kumar N · Mayo Clinic Proceedings

Defines the clinical syndrome of acquired copper deficiency: a myelopathy with spastic gait and sensory ataxia resembling B12 subacute combined degeneration, with excessive zinc ingestion among its established causes; copper repletion halts progression but neurologic improvement is often limited and mainly sensory.

Population

Review of acquired copper deficiency cases, including Mayo Clinic patients

Intervention

n/a — causes reviewed include prior gastric surgery, excessive zinc ingestion and malabsorption

Comparator

n/a

Limitations

Narrative review of case material; cannot estimate risk per dose or duration — the syndrome is rare and the zinc doses involved are typically far above supplement labels.