[A case of ceruloplasmin deficiency which showed dementia, ataxia and iron deposition in the brain].

A 55-year-old female with progressed dementia, cerebellar ataxia was reported. There was no family history of the same symptoms although her brothers, sisters and a son showed hypoceruloplasminemia and decrease of the serum copper content. On physical examination, anemia, dementia, dysarthria, torticollis, choreic involuntary movement of respiratory muscles, hyperreflexia in extremities and cerebellar ataxia were noted. Blood analysis revealed microcytic hypochromic anemia, diabetes mellitus, decrease of copper content of the serum and urine. Serum ferritin concentration was increased. Serum ceruloplasmin could not be detected. Biopsy of the liver showed that copper content in the liver was slightly increased and iron content was remarkably increased. On MRI study, dentate nucleus of the cerebellum, the thalamus, the putamen and the caudate nucleus and the liver showed low intensity in both T1 and T2 weighted images. Based on increased iron content in the liver, the radiological findings of the brain suggested deposition of iron in the brain. This deposition was considered as caused by deficiency of function of ceruloplasmin as ferroxidase. This disorder is suggested as a new disease due to ceruloplasmin deficiency different from Wilson's disease.