An inherited disease that results in an abnormal accumulation of copper in the liver, brain and other organs. If left untreated the disorder can lead to liver failure (cirrhosis) and death. Copper is ingested in the foods that are eaten. Normally it is digested and processed in the liver and excreted in the bile into the intestines. In the blood, copper is attached to another molecule, ceruloplasmin. In Wilson's disease, blood levels of ceruloplasmin are low, due to a genetic mutation. The result is copper begins accumulating in the liver causing liver failure. If the level continues to increase it overflows into the bloodstream causing damage to other body parts.