Based on similar distribution patterns of cuproenzymes such as dopamine-β-hydroxylase (DBH) and Cu–Zn superoxide dismutase (Cu–Zn SOD), as well as abnormal catecholamine synthesis in the Long-Evans Cinnamon (LEC) rat model of WD (Saito et al., 1996; Okabe et al., 1998), these authors speculated that ATP7B-mediated control of copper homeostasis in these brain regions is important in regulating DBH activity. This evidence concerns the gene DBH and Wilson disease.