On Thursday 4 September at 14:00, Emilie Munk Lynderup defends her PhD dissertation entitled "Diagnosis and treatment of Wilson disease examined by 64Cu PET".

Wilson disease is a rare genetic disorder in which copper accumulates in the body, primarily in the

liver and brain. The prognosis depends on early diagnosis, which faces challenges from false positives, and consistent treatment, which side effects from the medication may limit. The thesis was based on three studies that explored how positron emission tomography scans with the radioactive copper isotope 64Cu can be used for the diagnosis of Wilson disease and to monitor treatment effects.

The first study investigated the effect of zinc treatment on the liver's copper uptake in healthy volunteers. The second study aimed to enhance the diagnostic potential of 64Cu PET scans in healthy participants, individuals carrying the gene for Wilson disease, and Wilson disease patients. The third study investigated the effect of D-penicillamine and the experimental drug methanobactin on copper metabolism in a Wilson disease rat model.

Overall, the studies demonstrated that 64Cu PET enables the visualisation of copper metabolism in

Wilson disease, and may aid in both diagnosis and treatment evaluation. The results from the PhD project form the basis for further studies, which may validate the clinical use of 64Cu PET for diagnosis and treatment monitoring in Wilson disease.

The summary is written by the PhD student.

The defence is public and takes place in Auditorium C114-101, Aarhus University Hospital. Please see the press release for more information. 

Contact

PhD student Emilie Munk Lynderup
Mail: dittmu@rm.dk 
Phone: 40468975

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