It sounds like you and your husband have been thru a very trying time.

Copper deficiency is pretty rare. And in an adult...suggests that it was acquired.
A genetic defect would present when very young.

We had another poster who had this event also:
You can read here:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...ghlight=copper

Since the copper infusion worked...and your husband is better, now is the time to look for WHY...

Was he poisoned with zinc. Excess zinc will deplete copper.
Also very low copper will result in severe anemia..and blood tests should show this. Is your husband using drugs that deplete copper? The reference I use shows that anti-retrovirus drugs do deplete this nutrient. Some of these drugs also deplete other nutrients which may be additive. You can PM me for privacy if you like, and I will look that up for you.

Medicine does not yet understand all the genetic reasons stuff happens to adults. Cancer and certain B-complex deficiencies are examples of genetic errors. Sometimes genetic errors that are seen in very young babies are delayed and show up in adults. Also in adults exposure to environmental toxins, chemicals, triggers an event.