Copper supplementation in quaking mutant mice: reduced tremors and increased brain copper.

Mice homozygous for the mutant gene quaking (qk) with a high frequency of axial tremors had a low concentration of copper in the brain. Supplementation during pregnancy and lactation with a high level of dietary copper greatly reduced the frequency of tremors and brought brain copper level to normal in the off-spring. It is suggested that qk affects copper metabolism.