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Alzheimer's Disease Glossary
Terms used to explain Alzheimer's can sometimes be confusing. To help you fully understand the articles and features related to this very important health topic, we have compiled a glossary of terms that can help.
: used or tending to relieve or prevent psychic depression
: loss or impairment of the ability to execute complex coordinated movements without muscular or sensory impairment compare eupraxia
: a mental disturbance characterized by confusion, disordered speech, and hallucinations
Function: noun
1: a monoamine C8H11NO2 that is a decarboxylated form of dopa and occurs esp. as a neurotransmitter in the brain and as an intermediate in the biosynthesis of epinephrine see intropin
: an excitotoxic agent (as kainic acid)
pl -pi
Pronunciation: \-ˌpī, -(ˌ)pē\
: a curved elongated ridge that is an important part of the limbic system, extends over the floor of the descending horn of each lateral ventricle of the brain, consists of gray matter covered on the ventricular surface with white matter, and is involved in forming, storing, and processing memory see pes hippocampi
limbic system
Function: noun
: a group of subcortical structures (as the hypothalamus, the hippocampus, and the amygdala) of the brain that are concerned esp. with emotion and motivation
: see: magnetic resonance imaging; also: a procedure in which magnetic resonance imaging is used
: a substance (as norepinephrine or acetylcholine) that transmits nerve impulses across a synapse see false neurotransmitter
pl -gies
1: the study of the essential nature of diseases and esp. of the structural and functional changes produced by them
2: the anatomic and physiological deviations from the normal that constitute disease or characterize a particular disease
3: a treatise on or compilation of abnormalities <a new pathology of the eye>
pl -bos
1: a usu. pharmacologically inert preparation prescribed more for the mental relief of the patient than for its actual effect on a disorder
2: an inert or innocuous substance used esp. in controlled experiments testing the efficacy of another substance (as a drug)
plaque
Function: noun
1 a: a localized abnormal patch on a body part or surface and esp. on the skin <psoriatic plaque>
b: a sticky usu. colorless film on teeth that is formed by and harbors bacteria
c: an atherosclerotic lesion
d: a histopathologic lesion of brain tissue that is characteristic of Alzheimer's disease and consists of a dense proteinaceous core composed primarily of beta-amyloid that is often surrounded and infiltrated by a cluster of degenerating axons and dendrites —called also senile plaque
2: a visibly distinct and esp. a clear or opaque area in a bacterial culture produced by damage to or destruction of cells by a virus
Function: noun
1: a serious mental disorder (as schizophrenia) characterized by defective or lost contact with reality often with hallucinations or delusions
: tending to calm, moderate, or tranquilize nervousness or excitement <sedative[1] effects of anesthetics and analgesics Linda C. Haynes et al>
: a phenolic amine neurotransmitter C10H12N2O that is a powerful vasoconstrictor and is found esp. in the brain, blood serum, and gastric mucous membrane of mammals —called also 5-HT, 5-hydroxytryptamine
1: the place at which a nervous impulse passes from one neuron to another
2: see: synapsis
1 a: of, relating to, affecting, or being the thyroid gland <thyroid[1] disorders>
2: of, relating to, or being the thyroid cartilage
1: of, relating to, constituting, or affecting a tube or a system of tubes for the conveyance of a body fluid (as blood or lymph) <vascular disease> <vascular surgical techniques>
2: supplied with or containing ducts and esp. blood vessels <a vascular tumor> <the vascular layer of the skin>
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Alzheimer's Features
Did You Know?
View SourceMore than 5.3 million people in the United States are living with Alzheimer's disease, with a new person developing the disease every 70 seconds. Americans ages 65 and older with Alzheimer's and dementia pay three times as much in health care costs.
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