|
Terms |
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Acetylcholine |
Acetylcholine.
A widespread neurotransmitter, relevant to PD, memory,
bowel and bladder function. |
| |
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Agonist |
Agonist.
A drug that activates a specific receptor (e.g.
dopamine agonists activate dopamine receptors). |
| |
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Akathisia |
Akathisia. Inner restlessness, unable to comfortably
sit still. |
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Akinesia |
Akinesia. Decreased body movements. |
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Alpha-synuclein.
A protein normally found in neurons, and present in
high concentrations in Lewy bodies. |
|
Alpha-synuclein |
A genetic mutation is the basis for an inherited form of
parkinsonism. |
| |
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Amantadine |
Amantadine. A drug used in the treatment of PD. It’s
primary role is in the treatment of levodopa-induced |
|
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dyskinesias. It is a mild and partial blocker of
glutamate. |
| |
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Amino acids |
Amino acids. The building blocks of protein, and also
the class of biologic chemicals that includes levodopa. |
| |
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Amitriptyline |
Amitriptyline. An antidepressant medication from the
tricyclic class that is also used for other purposes, |
|
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such as a sleep aid. |
| |
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Antagonist |
Antagonist. A drug that blocks a specific receptor
(e.g. a dopamine antagonist blocks dopamine
receptors). |
| |
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Anticholinergic |
Anticholinergic. Drugs that block acetylcholine
receptors. |
| |
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Apgar score |
Apgar score. A numbered score doctors use to asses a
baby’s physical state at the time of birth. |
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Apomorphine |
Apomorphine. A dopamine agonist available for
injection under the skin (subcutaneous); used for a
quick |
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response
when in a levodopa off-state. |
| |
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Apraxia |
Apraxia.
Impaired ability to carry out purposeful movements in
an individual who does not have significant |
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motor
problems. |
| |
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Aspiration |
Aspiration. Inappropriate passage of food or liquid
into the lungs. |
| |
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Ataxia |
Ataxia.
In coordination, as occurs in problems
involving the cerebellum. |
| |
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ATP |
ATP (Adenosine triphosphate)
A high- energy substance manufactured by the
mitochondria inside cells, |
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which is
necessary for multiple metabolic processes. |
| |
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Autonomic |
Autonomic
nervous system. The internal nervous system that
controls bladder, bowels, sweating, sexual |
|
nervous |
function,
and blood pressure. |
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system |
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| |
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Autosomal |
Autosomal
dominant disorder. A non-sex- linked disorder that can
be inherited even if only one parent |
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dominant |
passes on the defective gene. |
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disorder |
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| |
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Axon |
Axon. A wire
- like extension from the neuron that transmits an
electrical signal from the cell body to the |
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terminal,
where the neurotransmitter is released. |
| |
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Basal Ganglia |
Basal
Ganglia. A region located at the base of the brain
composed of four clusters of neurons, or nerve
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cells. This area is responsible for body movement and
coordination. The neuron groups most prominently |
|
|
and consistently
affected by HD (Hungington’s Disease) - the pallidum
and striatum - are located here. |
|
|
See
neuron, pallidum, striatum. |
| |
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Benserazide |
Benserazide.
A drug that is identical in its function to carbidopa.
This drug is available in certain countries |
|
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outside
the United States, Including Europe. |
| |
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Benztropine |
Benztropine
(cogentin) An anticholinergic drug. |
| |
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Beta-blockers |
Beta-blockers.
Drugs that block one type of adrenalin-like responses.
These are used in the treatment of |
|
|
tremor,
high blood pressure, certain heart conditions and
migraines. |
| |
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Biphasic |
Biphasic
dyskinesias. Levodopa-induced dyskinesias that occur
twice during the levodopa on-cycle, |
|
dyskinesias |
transiently
at the beginning and gain at the end. Also called the
DID response. |
| |
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Blepharospasm |
Blepharospasm.
Dystonia of the eyes, manifest as involuntary eye
closure. |
| |
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Blood-brain barrier |
Blood-brain
barrier. The lining around the blood vessels of the
brain that prevents undesirerable substance |
|
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within
the bloodstream from entering the brain |
| |
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Bradykinesia |
Bradykinesia. The slowness of movement that is typical
of PD. |
| |
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Bradyphrenia |
Bradyphrenia. Slowness of thought. |
| |
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Brain Stem |
Brain
Stem. The lowest end of the brain that interfaces with
the spinal cord. Tracts passing from higher |
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brain
centers to the spinal cord pass through the brain
stem, and vice versa. The brain stem contains |
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nuclei
that control
elementary functions, such as breathing and eye
movement. |
| |
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Bromocriptine |
Bromocriptine (Parlodel) A dopamine agonist drug from
the ergot class. |
| |
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Carbidopa |
Carbidopa.
A drug that blocks the conversion of levodopa to
dopamine in the circulation but not in the |
|
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brain
(it does not cross the blood-brain barrier). |
| |
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Catechol-O |
Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) One of the enzymes
that break down levodopa and dopamine. |
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methyltransferase |
Blocking this
enzyme is a PD treatment strategy. |
| |
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Caudate nuclei |
Caudate nuclei. Part of the striatum in the basal
ganglia. See basal ganglia, Striatum. |
| |
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Cerebellum |
Cerebellum. A brain structure located just above the
brain stem. Damage to this area causes ataxia |
|
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(incoordination). |
| |
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Cerebral |
Cerebral. Relating to the two hemisphere of the human
brain. |
| |
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Chemoreceptive |
Chemoreceptive
trigger zone. A small region in the brain stem that
senses certain substances circulating in |
|
trigger zone |
the
bloodstream. When stimulated by one of these
substances, nausea results. Since there is no blood- |
|
|
brain barrier
at this site, circulating dopamine can stimulate this
region and cause nausea. |
| |
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Cholinergic |
Cholinergic. Neurons that release acetylcholine as the
neurotransmitter. |
| |
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Chorea |
Chorea. Irregular, Spasmodic, involuntary movement of
the limbs or facial muscles, often accompanied by
|
|
|
hypotonia. The location of the responsible cerebral
lesion is not known. |
| |
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Choreiform |
Choreiform. A descriptive term implying that the
appearance is that of chorea. |
| |
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Clonazepam |
Clonazepam (Klonopin).
A sedating medication from the benzodiazepine class
that is used to treat REM |
|
(Klonopin) |
sleep behavior
disorder. |
| |
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Clozapine (Clozaril) |
Clozapine (Clozaril).
A medication used to treat hallucinations and
delusions. It is very effective but has |
|
|
significant
side effects. |
| |
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|
Chromosomes |
Chromosomes.
The structures in cells that that contain genes. They
are composed of deoxyribonucleic acid |
|
|
(DNA)
and proteins and, under a microscope, appear as rod-
like structures. |
| |
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|
Clozapine (Clozaril) |
Clozapine (Clozaril).
A medication used to treat hallucinations and
delusions. It is very effective but has |
|
|
significant
side effects. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Coenzyme Q10 |
Coenzyme
Q (Coenzyme Q10). A substance that participates in the
chemical reactions of mitochondria. It |
|
|
may be deficient
in people with PD, and preliminary research suggests
that it may have a role in PD |
|
|
treatment. |
| |
|
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|
|
Clozapine (Clozaril) |
Clozapine (Clozaril).
A medication used to treat hallucinations and
delusions. It is very effective but has |
|
|
significant
side effects. |
| |
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Colon |
Colon. The large intestine where feces form
delusions. It is very effective but has |
| |
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Computed tomography
(CT) |
Computed tomography
(CT) A technique used for diagnosing brain disorders.
CT uses a computer to |
|
|
produce a high- quality image of brain structures.
These images are called CT scans. |
| |
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COMT |
COMT inhibitor. Drugs that block the enzyme
catechol-O-methyltransferase, thereby prolonging the
action |
|
|
of levodopa. |
| |
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Congenital |
Congenital. Present at birth. |
| |
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Cortex |
Cortex. Part of the brain responsible for thought,
perception , and memory. Huntington’s disease affexts |
|
|
the basal ganglia and cortex. |
| |
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|
Corticobasal |
Corticobasal degeneration. A neurodegenerative
condition that has some resemblance to PD. |
| |
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Corticospinal |
Corticospinal. One of
the primary brain and spinal cord systems involved
with controlling movement. This is |
|
|
spared in PD. |
| |
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CR |
CR (Controlled-release) The sustained-release form of
carbidopa/ levodopa (Sinemet CR) |
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Controlled-release |
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| |
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CT scan |
CT scan. Computed tomography scan, which is used to
image the brain. |
| |
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DBS |
Deep brain
stimulation (DBS). Therapy employing high frequency
stimulation of a specific brain region |
|
(Deep Brain |
through
a device similar to a heart pacemaker. |
|
Stimulation) |
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| |
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Delusions |
Delusions. Beliefs that
are inappropriate, patently false, and sometimes
bizarre. |
| |
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Deoxyribonucleic |
Deoxyribonucleic (DNA)
The substance of heredity containing the genetic
information necessary for cells |
|
acid |
to divide and produce proteins. DNA carries the code
for every inherited characteristic of an organism. |
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(DNA) |
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Dimentia |
Dimentia. Loss of
intellectual abilities, usually due to a
neurodegenerative disorder. |
| |
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Dendrites |
Dendrites. Short
wire-like processes on neurons that receive
neurotransmitter signals from axon terminals. |
| |
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Diaphoresis |
Diaphoresis. Sweating. |
| |
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Diastolic |
Diastolic. A blood
pressure parameter corresponding to the second number
in blood pressure readings (such |
|
|
as 80 in the reading 120/80). |
| |
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Diffuse Lewy |
Diffuse Lewy body
disease (Lewy body dementia, dementia with Lawy
bodies) A condition in which the |
|
body disease |
neurodegenerative
changes, including Lewy bodies, are widespread,
affecting both both the substantia |
|
|
nigra (resulting in parkinsonism) and in the cortex
(resulting in dementia). |
| |
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Disability |
Disability. According
to the “International classification of impairments,
Disabilities and Handicaps” (World |
|
|
Health
Organization), any restriction or lack of ability to
perform an activity in a manner or within the range |
|
|
considered normal
for a human being. The term disability reflects the
consequences of impairment in terms |
|
|
of functional
performance and activity by the individual;
disabilities thus represent disturbances at the |
|
|
level
of he person. An impairment or defect of one or more
organs or members. |
| |
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Diuretic |
Diuretic. A water pill
(increases urine output). |
| |
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Diplopia |
Diplopia. Double
version. |
| |
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DNA |
DNA. Dioxyribonucleic
acid, which is the molecule used to write the genetic
codes of living cells. |
| |
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|
Dominant |
Dominant. A trait that
is apparent even when the gene for that disorder is
inherited from only one parent. |
| |
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Dominant |
Dominant inheritance.
The inheritance pattern in which a trait is passed
from one generation to the next. |
|
Inheritance |
Half
of the offspring in any generation tend to display the
trait (if it fully expressed). |
| |
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|
Donepezil |
Donepezil (Aricept). A
medication that increases brain levels of
acetylcholine, which is used to treat |
|
|
memory
disorders. |
| |
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|
|
Dopa |
Dopa decarboxylase. The
enzyme that converts levodopa into dopamine. |
| |
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|
Dopamine |
Dopamine (DM) An
intermediate in tyrosine metabolism and precursor of
norepinephrine and epinephrine; it |
|
|
accounts for 90%
of the catecholamines; its presence in the central
nervous system and localization in the |
|
|
basal ganglia
(caudate and lentiform nuclei) suggest that dopamine
may have other fuctions. Depletion of |
|
|
dopamine produces
Parkinson disease. Syn: decarboxylated dopa,
3-hydroxytyramine. |
| |
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Dopamine Agonist |
Dopamine agonist.
Synthetic drugs that behave like dopamine. |
| |
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Dopaminergic |
Dopaminergic. Neurons
that release dopamine as their neurotransmitter. |
| |
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|
Dysarthria |
Dysarthria. Problems
with speaking caused by difficulty moving or
coordinating the muscles needed for |
|
|
speech. |
| |
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|
|
Dystonia |
Dystonia. A state of
abnormal (either hypo-or hyper) tonicity in any of the
tissue resulting in impairment of |
|
|
voluntary
movement. |
| |
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|
|
Dyskinesias |
Dyskinesias. In the
context of PD, these are involuntary movements
provoked by medications, primarily |
|
|
levodopa. These
are especially characterized by flowing, dancing
movements (chorea) of the limbs, trunk, |
|
|
neck, or face. |
| |
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|
|
Dysphagia |
Dysphagia. Impaired
swallowing. |
| |
|
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|
|
Dyspnea |
Dyspnea. Shortness of
breath. |
| |
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|
|
Dysuria |
Dysuria. Painful
urination. |
| |
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|
|
Electroencephalogram
|
Electroencephalogram
(EEG) Atechnique for recording the pattern of
electrical currents inside the brain. |
|
(EEG) |
|
| |
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|
|
Electromyography |
Electromyography. A special recording technique that
detects muscle activity. |
| |
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|
|
Entacapone |
Entacapone (comtan) A COMT inhibitor that prolongs the
levodopa effect and is used to enhance the |
|
|
carbidopa /
levodopa response. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Essential Tremor |
Essential tremor. An
action tremor of 4-8 Hz frequency that usually begins
in early adult life and is limited |
|
|
to the upper limbs and head; called familial when it
appears in several family members. |
| |
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|
|
Enzymes |
Enzymes. Cellular molecules used to transform or
modify biochemical substances. An example is dopa |
|
|
decarboxylase, which transforms levodopa into
dopamine. |
| |
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|
|
Ergot |
Ergot. A class of drugs that includes bromocriptine,
pergolide, and cabergoline. These have unique side |
|
|
effects not shared by other dopamine agonists. |
| |
|
|
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|
|
Esophagus |
Esophagus. The passageway from the mouth to the
stomach |
| |
|
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|
|
Extrapyramidal |
Extrapyramidal. A term
for the basal ganglia and its connections. The term
originated to distinguish this |
|
|
from another movement control circuit, the pyramidal
motor system. |
| |
|
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|
|
Fluctuations
|
Fluctuations.
Variations in the levodopa response, with transitions
between on-and off-states. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Fludrocortisone |
Fludrocortisone (Florinef)
A medication used to elevate the blood pressure, which
works by causing the |
|
|
kidney to excrete less sodium (salt). |
| |
|
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|
|
|
Freezing |
Freezing. Transient
paralysis of movement. In PD, this most often relates
to walking, where the feet |
|
|
become stuck to the floor. |
| |
|
|
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|
|
Failure |
Failure to thrive. A
condition characterized by lag in physical growth and
development. |
| |
|
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|
|
|
|
Gait analysis. A
technique that uses camera recording, force plates,
electromyography, and computer |
|
|
analysis to
objectively measure an individual’s pattern of
walking. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Gamma Knife |
Gamma knife. A
minimally invasive radiosurgical system used in the
treatment of benign and malignant |
|
|
intracranial
neoplasms and arteriovenous malformations. |
|
|
As a preliminary
to use of the gamma knife, the lesion to be ablated is
precisely located by imaging |
|
|
techniques such as
MRI, CT,PET, and angiography. Beams of gamma rays from
200 cobalt-60 sources are |
|
|
the directed by a
computer so that they converge on the lesion. A series
of exposures are made during a |
|
|
period of about 1
hour. Lesions larger than about 3 cm cannot be
treated. The mechanism is bulky and |
|
|
costly, but the
producer has shown a success rate of about 85% in the
treatment of arteriovenous |
|
|
malformatons and
50-95% for neoplasms. Besides avoiding risks and
complications of opensurgery, the |
|
|
gamma knife
permits treatment of lesions whose location prohibits
any attempt at surgical removal. In |
|
|
addition, patient
discomfort is minimal and most patient remain in the
hospital for only 1 night; many |
|
|
return home, or
even to work, on the day of treatment. The gamma knife
is expected to prove useful |
|
|
in the treatment
of other diorders, such as tumors of the eye and the
pituitary gland, trigeminal |
|
|
neuralgia,
epilepsy, parkinsonism, and other movement disorders. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Gastrostomy |
Gastrostomy. A surgical
prosedure to create an artificial opening in the
stomach. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Gene |
Gene. The basic unit of
heredity, composed of a segment of DNA containing the
code for a specific trait. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Glia. The
supporting cells of the nervous system. They perform a
variety of metabolic and housekeeping |
|
Glia |
tasks that are critical
to neurons. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
GastGlobus Pallidus |
GastGlobus
pallidus. This nucleus is located between the striatum
and thalamus. Most of the striatal output |
|
|
is to the nucleus,
which, in turn, has important projections to the
thalamus. rostomy. A surgical procedure |
|
|
to create an artificial
opening in the stomach. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Glutamate |
Glutamate. A brain
neurotransmitter. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Glutamate Antagonist |
Glutamate antagonist.
Drugs that block the brain neurotransmitter,
glutamate. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Hallucinations |
Hallucinations.
Seeing things that are not there. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Hemianopia |
Hemianopia. Defective
vision or blindness that impairs half of the normal
field of vision. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Hemiparetic Tremors |
Hemiparetic
tremors. Uncotrollable shaking affecting the limbs on
the spastic side of the body in those who |
|
|
have spastic hemiplegia. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Hesitancy |
Hesitancy. Slowed,
hard-to-start urination. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Homocysteine |
Homocysteine. A
metabolite normally present in the bloodstream.
Elevated concentrations are a risk factor |
|
|
for atherosclerosis. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Huntingtin |
Huntingtin. The
protein encoded by the gene that carries the
huntington’s disease defect. The repeated |
|
|
CAG sequence in
the gene causes an abnormal form of huntingtin to be
formed. The function of the normal |
|
|
form of huntingtin is
not yet known. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Hypokinetic |
Hypokinetic. The type
of speech problem (dysarthria) found in PD. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Hypertonia |
Hypertonia. Increased
tone. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Hypophonia |
Hypophonia. The soft
voice of PD. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Hypotension |
Hypotension. Low blood
pressure. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Hypotonia |
Hypotonia. Decreased
tone. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Hypoxic |
Hypoxic - ischemic
encephalopathy. Brain damage caused by poor blood flow
or insufficient oxygen supply |
|
|
to the brain. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Immediate Release |
Immediate release. The
regular formulation of a medication, distinguished
from sustained-release products. |
|
|
Carbidopa /levodopa
comes in two forms, immediate release and sustained
release. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Jaundice |
Jaundice. A blood
disoreder caused by the abnormal buildup of bile
pigments in the bloodstream. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Kindred |
Kindred.
A group of related persons, such as a family or clan. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Lesioning |
Lesioning.
Surgically destroying a small area of brain tissue. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Levodopa |
Levodopa
treatment. This implies carbidopa / levodopa
treatment. Plain levodopa without carbidopa is no
|
|
|
longer used. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Lewy Body |
Lewy body. Round
collections of amorphous material inside certain brain
neurons in PD. They are especially |
|
|
frequent in the
substantia nigra. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Lewy Body
Dementia |
Lewy body
dementia. Diffuse Lewy body disease. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Long-Duration |
Long-duration
levodopa response. A sustained effect from levodopa,
which develops over about one week. |
|
levodopa response |
If levodopa is
continued, this effect conversely dissipates over a
week. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Lumbar Puncture |
Lumbar puncture. A
puncture into the subarachnoid space of the lumbar
region to obtain spinal fluid for |
|
|
diagnostic or
therapeutic purposes. Syn:Quincke puncture, spinal
puncture, rachicentesis, rachiocentesis, |
|
|
spinal tap. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Madopar |
Madopar. The brand
name for benserazide/levodopa, which is used in some
European countries. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
MRI |
Magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI) An imaging technique that uses
radiowaves, magnetic fields and |
|
Magnetic Resonance |
computer analysis
to create a picture of body tissue and structures. |
|
Imaging
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
MAO-B Inhibitor |
MAO-B inhibitor. A
drug that blocks one of the two major forms of
monoamine oxidase (the B-form). This |
|
|
result in slightly
higher brain dopamine levels. The primary drug in this
class is selsgeline (Eldepryl, formerly |
|
|
known as Deprenyl). |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Marker |
Marker. A piece of
DNA that lies on the chromosome so close to a gene
that two are inherited together. |
|
|
Like a signpost,
Markers are used during genetic testing and research
to locate the nearby presence of a |
|
|
gene. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Midodrine |
Midodrine (Proamatine)
An antidepressant medication. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Mitochondria |
Mitochondria.
Microscopic, energy-producing bodies within cells that
are the cell’s power plants. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Monoamine
Oxidase |
Monoamine oxidase
(MAO) An enzyme that breaks down dopamine. Blocking it
will enhance PD treatment. |
|
MAO |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Motor |
Motor. Term for
movement and action, for example, brain circuits that
program motor function. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
MRI |
MRI. Mganetic
resonance imaging, which generates high –resolution
views of the brain. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Movement |
Movement. The act
of motion; said of the entire body or of one or more
of its members or parts. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Multiple System
|
Multiple system
atrophy (MSA) A neurodegenerative disorder that may
resemble PD. |
|
Atrophy
(MSA) |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Muscle |
Muscle. A primary
tissue, consisting predominantly of highly specialized
contractile cells. Which may be |
|
|
classified as
skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle or smooth muscle;
microscopically, the latter is lacking in |
|
|
transverse
striations characteristic of the other two types; one
of the contractile organs of the body by |
|
|
which movements of
the various organs and parts are effected; typical
musculus is a mass of musculus |
|
|
fibers (venter or
belly), attached at each extremity, by means by means
of a tendon, to a bone or other |
|
|
structure; the
more proximal or more fixed attachment is called the
origin, the more distal or more |
|
|
movable attachment
is is the insertion; the narrowing part of the belly
that is attached to the tendon |
|
|
of origin is
called the caput or head. Syn: musculus. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Mutation |
Mutation. In
genetics, any defect in a gene. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Myoclonus |
Myoclonus.
One or a series of shock-like contractions of a group
of muscles, of variable regularity, |
|
|
synchrony,
and symmetry, generally due to a central nervous
system lesion. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Nadolol |
Nadolol (Corgard)
A beta- blocking drug that does not cross the
blood-brain barrier, which is used to treat |
|
|
tremor. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Neonatal
Hemorrhage |
Neonatal
hemorrhage. Bleeding of brain blood vessels in the
newborn. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Neurodegenerative |
Neurodegenerative.
A class of disorders in which certain brain systems
slowly die (degenerate), this |
|
|
includes
conditions such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s disease
and Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS). |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Neurogenic Bladder |
Neurogenic
bladder. A malfunctioning bladder due to impaired
nervous system control. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Neurologist |
Neurologist. A
specialist in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders
of the neuromascular system: the |
|
|
central,
peripheral, and automatic nervous system, the
neuromascular junction, and muscle. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Neuron |
Neuron. Greek word
for a nerve cell, the basic impulse-conducting unit of
the nervous system. Nerve cells |
|
|
communicate with
other cells through an electrochemical process called
neurotransmission. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Neurotransmitters |
Neurotransmitters.
Special chemicals that transmit nerve impulses from
one cell to another. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Neurotrophic
|
Neurotrophic
hormone. A class of chemicals found in the nervous
system that enhances the growth and |
|
Hormone |
viability of
neurons. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Nigrostriatal |
Nigrostriatal. The
projection from the substantia nigra neuron to the
striatum. Each nigrostriatal neuron has |
|
|
a cell body
located in the substantia nigra, with an axon
extending to the striatum. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Nocturia |
Nocturia.
Urination during the night. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Norepinephrine |
Norepinephrine. A
neurotransmitter also called noradrenalin. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
NPH |
Normal pressure
hydrocephalus (NPH) A disorder of senior citizens in
which the brain ventricles expand, |
|
Normal Pressure |
this impairs the
function of nearby brain circuits. The symptoms
include a parkinsonian gait, urinary |
|
Hydrocephalus |
incontinence, and
cognitive dysfunction. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Notriptyline |
Notriptyline (Pamelor,
Aventyl) An antidepressant medication that is
sometimes used for other purpose, |
|
|
such as sleep aid. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
NSAIDs |
NSAIDs.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as
ibuprofen, naproxen, plus a variety of prescription |
|
Nonsteroidal anti- |
pain relivers. |
|
inflammatory drugs |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Nuclei |
Nuclei.
Collections of neurons grouped together in a somewhat
homogeneous brain structure. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Occupational Therapy
|
Occupational
Therapy (OT) Therapeutic use of self-care, work, and
recreational activities to increase |
|
(OT) |
independent
function, enhance development, and prevent disability;
may include adaptation of tasks or |
|
|
environment to
achieve maximum independence and optimum quality of
life. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Off |
Off. The state
when levodopa is not working. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Olanzapine (Zyprexa) |
Olanzapine (Zyprexa)
A medication used to treat hallucinations and
delusions. It may induce Parkinsonism. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
On |
On. The state when
levodopa is working and parkinsonian symptoms are
relieved. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Othorstatic |
Othorstatic.
Standing, as in arthostatic hypotension, where the
blood pressure is low when erect. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Orthotic Devices |
Orthotic Devices.
Special devices, such as splints or braces, used to
treat problems of the muscles, |
|
|
ligaments, or
bones of the skeletal system. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Osteoporosis |
Osteoporosis.
Weakening of bones. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Oxybutynin |
Oxybutynin (Ditropan)
An anticholinergic medication used to treat urinary
urgency. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Pallidotomy |
|
Pallidotomy.
A destructive operation on the globus pallidus,
done to relieve involuntary movements or |
|
|
|
muscular rigidity. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Pallidum |
Pallidum. Part of
the basal ganglia of the brain. The pallidum is
composed of the globus pallidus and the |
|
|
ventral pallidum. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Palsy |
Palsy. Paralysis,
or problems in the control of voluntary movement. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Parcopa |
Parcopa. A new
formulation of carbidopa/ levodopa that dissolves in
the mouth and is then swallowed. |
|
|
Water or other
liquid is not necessary to take this pill. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Paresis |
Paresis or Plegia.
Weakness or paralysis. In cerebral palsy, these terms
are typically combined with another |
|
|
phrase that
describes the distribution of paralysis and weakness,
e.g, paraparesis |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Parkin |
Parkin. A
component of the ubiquitin-proteasome system.
Mutations of the gene coding for parkin are |
|
|
responsible for
many cases of parkinsonism starting before age 40. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Parkinsonism |
Parkinsonism. A
neurologic syndrome usually resulting from deficiency
of the neurotransmitter dopamine as |
|
|
the consequence of
degenerative, vascular, or inflammatory changes in the
basal ganglia; characterized |
|
|
by rhythmic
muscular tremors, rigidity of movement, festination,
droopy pisture, and mask-like faces. |
|
|
Syn: Parkinson
disease, shaking palsy. A syndrome similar to
parkinsonism appearing as a side effect of |
|
|
certain
antipsychotic drugs. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Pergolide |
Pergolide. (Permax)
An ergot dopamine argonist drug. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Peristalsis |
Peristalsis.
Contractions of the gut that move food products
through gastoinntestinal system during |
|
|
digestion. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
PET Scan |
PET scan. Positron
emission tomography, a nuclear medicine scanning
technique. With certain injected |
|
|
substances,
dopaminergic neurons are imaged. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Placebo |
Placebo. A sugar
pill used in clinical trials. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Physical Therapy (PT) |
Physical therapy
(PT) Treatment of pain, disease, or injury by physical
means; Syn: Physiotherapy. The |
|
|
profession
concerned with promotion of health, with prevention of
physical disabilities, with evaluation |
|
|
|
and
rehabilitation of persons disabled by pain,
disease, or injury, and with treatment by physical |
|
|
|
therapeutic
measures as opposed to medical, surgical, or
radiologic measures. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Plasmapheresis |
Plasmapheresis.
Removal of whole blood from
the body, separation of its
cellular elements by |
|
|
centrifugation, and reinfusion
of them suspended in saline or some other plasma
substitute, thus depleting |
|
|
the body’s own plasma without
depleting its cells. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Polymorphisms |
Polymorphisms.
Normal variations of genes. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Pramipexole |
Pramipexole (
Mirapex) A dopamine argonist drug. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Praxis |
Praxis.
Programming of smaller motor movements to make a more
complex movement. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Prevalence |
Prevalence. The
number of cases of a disease that are present in a
particular population at a given time. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
PSP |
Progressive
Supranuvlear Palsy (PSP) A neurodegenerative condition
often mistaken for PD. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Propranolol |
Propranolol (
Inderal) A beta-blocking drug sometimes used to treat
tremor. It is also used to treat high |
|
|
blood pressure,
certain heart disorder and migraine. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Protein |
Protein. A class
of biologic chemicals composed of strings of amino
acid. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Putamen |
Putamen. An area
of the brain that decreases in size as a result of the
damage produced by HD. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Quetiapine |
Quetiapine (Seroquel)
A medication used to treat hallucinations and
delusions. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Receptor |
Receptor. Proteins
that serve as recognition sites on cells and cause a
response in the body when |
|
|
stimulated by
chemicals called neurotransmitters. They act as
on-and-off switches for the next nerve cell. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Recessive |
Recessive. A trait
that is apparent only when the gene or genes for it
are inherited from both parents. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Recessive Inheritance |
Recessive
inheritance. Traits that occur within a generation but
are not passed from one generation to
|
|
|
the next ( except in
rare situations). The trait is expressed only when
both genes of a pair are affected, |
|
|
that is, both the
mother and father contribute an abnormal gene. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Reflexes |
Reflexes. Movement
that the body makes automatically in response to a
specific cue. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
REM |
REM Sleep
Behaviour Disorder. Acting out dreams during rapid eye
movement (REM) sleep. Normally the |
|
|
body should be
limp during this stage of sleep, except for eye
movements. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Rest Tremor |
Rest tremor. The
typical tremor of PD. When affecting the hands, it is
present when they are not being |
|
|
used, such as in
the lap, or at one’s side when walking. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Restless Legs
|
Restless legs
syndrome. A creepy-crawly feeling in the legs when
trying to sleep, associated with the urge |
|
Syndrome |
to get up and walk
to gain relief. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Reuptake |
Reuptake. The
mechanism whereby neuron terminals control the
duration & intensity of neurotransmitter
|
|
|
effect. The
presynaptic terminal sucks up the neurotransmitter
after release to prevent the effect from |
|
|
being excessive. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Rh Incompatibility |
Rh
Incompatibility. A blood condition in which antibodies
in a pregnant woman’s blood can attach fetal
|
|
|
bloodcells, impairing
the fetus’s supply of oxygen and nutrients. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Rigidity |
Rigidity. The
increased tone of limbs seen in PD. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Ropinirole |
Ropinirole (
Requip) A dopamine agonist drug. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Rubella |
Rubella. Also
known as German measles, rubella is a viral infection
that can damage the nervous system in |
|
|
the developing
fetus. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Selective Dorsal |
Selective
dorsal root rhizotomy. A surgical procedure in
which selected nerves are severed to reduce
|
|
Root Rhizotomy |
spasticity
in the legs.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Selegiline |
Selegiline
(Deprenyl, Eldepryl) An MAO-B inhibitor drug, which
tends to enhance the levodopa effect. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Senile Chorea |
Senile
Chorea. A relatively mild and rare diorders found in
elderly adults and characterized by choreic
|
|
|
movements.
It is believed by some scientists to be caused by a
different gene mutation than that causing |
|
|
HD. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Serotonin |
Serotonin.
A brain neurotransmitter, which may be deficient in
some cases of depression. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Short-duration
|
Short-duration
levodopa response.
A one-to six-hour response that is time-locked to each
levodopa |
|
levodopa response. |
dose. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Sinemet |
Sinemet.
The brand name for carbidopa/ levodopa. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Sleep Apnea |
Sleep
apnea. impaired breathing during sleep. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Spastic Diplegia |
Spastic
Diplegia. A form of cerebral palsy in which both arms
and both legs are affected, the legs being
|
|
|
more
severely affected.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Spastic Hemiplegia |
Spastic
hemiplegia (or hemiparesis) A form of cerebral palsy
in which spasticity affects the arm and leg
|
|
|
on
one side of the body. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Spastic Paraplegia |
Spastic
Paraplegia (or paraparesis) A form of cerebral palsy
in which spasticity affects both legs but the
|
|
|
arms
are relatively or completely spares. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Spastic Quadriplegia |
Spastic
quadriplegia (or quadriparesis)
A form of cerebral
palsy in which all four limbs affected equally. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Spasticity |
Spasticity.
One type of increase in muscle tone at rest;
characterized by increased resistance to passive
|
|
|
stretch,
velocity dependent, and asymmetric about joints (i.e.
greater in the flexor muscles at the elbow |
|
|
and
the extensor muscles at the knee). Exaggerated deep
tendon reflexes and clonus are additional
|
|
|
manifestations.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
SPECT Scan |
SPECT
scan. Single photon emission computed tomography,
which can be used to image brain dopamine
|
|
|
systems
when certain chemicals are injected. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Spinal Cord |
Spinal
cord.
This, along with the brain, makes up the central
nervous system. It is an elongated extension |
|
|
of
the brain, extending downwards from the brain stem.
Tracts from the cortex & subcortex pass through |
|
|
the
brain stem to the spinal cord, which is the final
common pathway controlling movement. Conversely, |
|
|
sensory
information (e.g, touch, pain) passes in the opposite
direction via other tracts, up to the brain. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
SSRI |
SSRI
(Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) A class of
antidepressant medications, the effects are
|
|
|
mediated
by blocking the reuptake of serotonin. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Stalevo |
Stalevo.
A combination drug containing entacapone, carbidopa,
and levodopa.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Stem cell |
Stem
cell. A very immature cell with potential with
potential to differentiate into a wide variety of
cells, |
|
|
including
neurons.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Stereognosia |
Stereognosia.
Difficulty perceiving and identifying objects using
the sense of touch.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Strabismus |
Strabismus.
Misalignment of the eyes.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Striatum |
Striatum.
Art of the basal ganglia of the brain. The Striatum is
composed of the caudate nucleus,
|
|
|
putamen,
and ventral striatum. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Subcortex |
Subcortex.
Brain centers located underneath the cortex, which
tend to have more elementary functions
|
|
|
than
cortical circuits. The basal ganglia is subcortical. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Substantia Nigra |
Substantia
nigra. Neurons containing a black pigment and located
at the upper end of the brain stem, in
|
|
|
the
midbrain. This degenerates in PD. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Subthalamic Nucleus |
Subthalamic
nucleus. A nucleus located just beneath the thalamus,
which is antimately connected with
|
|
|
the
striatum and globus pallidus. Strokes here cause
involuntary movements. It is a target for
neurosurgical |
|
|
treatment
of PD. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Sustained-Release
|
Sustained-release
(SR) Formulating a medication to make it dissolve very
slowly, hence, the effect is |
|
(SR) |
delayed
and prolonged. Sinemet CR is a sustained-release
formulation of carbidopa/ levodopa. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Synapse |
Synapse.
The interface between a nerve terminal and a receptor.
The terminal releases a specific |
|
|
neurotransmitter
into the synaptic cleft, which then binds to the
receptor. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Systolic |
Systolic.
A blood pressure parameter corresponding to the upper
number in blood |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Terminal |
Terminal. The end
of the axon, which releases a neurotransmitter. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Thalamotomy |
Thalamotomy.
Dustruction of a selected portion of the thalamus by
stereotaxy for the relief of pain, |
|
|
involuntary
movements, epilepsy and rarely, emotional
disturbances, produces few, if any, neurologic |
|
|
deficits or
undesirable personality changes. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Thalamus |
Thalamus. A centrally located brain nucleus with
widespread connections to the cortex. It receives
|
|
|
extensive input from
the globus pallidus, as well as
from a variety of other brain regions. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Tolcapone |
Tolcapone (Tasmar) A COMT inhibitor drug that enhances
the levodopa response. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Tolterodine |
Tolterodine (Detrol) An anticholinergic medication
used to treat urinary urgency. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Trait |
Trait. Any genetically determined characteristic. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Transgenic Mice |
Transgenic mice. Mice
that receive injections of foreign genes during the
embryonic stage of development. |
|
|
Their cells then
follow the instructions of the foreign genes,
resulting in the development of a certain trait |
|
|
or characteristic.
Transgenic mice can serve as an animal model of a
certain disease, telling researchers |
|
|
how genes work in
specific cells. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Transporter |
Transporter. A
component of cells that moves (transports) a chemical
across a cell membrane. For |
|
|
example,the dopamine
transporter is responsible for the reuptake of
dopamine from the region of the |
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synapse. |
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Trazodone |
Trazodone (Desyrel) An antidepressant medication often
used as a sleep aid. |
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Tremor |
Tremor. A rhythmic (back-and-forth) movement. |
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Tricyclic |
Tricyclic. A class of antidepressant medications. |
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Trihexyphenidyl |
Trihexyphenidyl. (Artane) An anticholinegic drug. |
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Trimethobenzamide |
Trimethobenzamide (Tigan)
A medication used to treat nausea. This does not
worsen parkinsonism, as do |
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the other prescription
nausea drugs. |
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Ubiquitin |
Ubiquitin. A cellular
molecule that is used to tag proteins destined for
degradation. |
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Ubiquitin Carboxy |
Ubiquitin carboxy -
terminal hydrolase. An enzyme that recycles previously
used ubiquitin. A mutation of |
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this enzyme was
identified in one inherited form of parkinsonism.
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Ubiquitin |
Ubiquitin - proteasome
system. A complex system within cells for disposing of
unwanted or abnormal |
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Proteasome System |
proteins |
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Ultrasonography |
Ultrasonography. A
technique that bounces sound waves off of tissues and
structures and uses the |
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pattern of echoes to
form an image called a sonogram. |
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Ureter |
Ureter. The conduit
from the kidney to the bladder. |
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Urethra |
Urethra. The conduit
from the kidneys to the bladder. |
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Urgency |
Urgency. An enhanced
sense that one must urinate. |
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Ventricles |
Ventricles. Cavities
within the brain that are filled with cerebrospinal
fluid. In Huntington’s disease, tissue |
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loss causes enlargement
of the ventricles. |
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Vertigo |
Vertigo. One form of
dizziness, characterized by a subjective sense of
spinning or movement within the |
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head. |
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Wearing Off |
Wearing – off. When the
levodopa beneficial effect is declining, typically
before the next dose. |
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Wilson’s Disease |
Wilson’s disease. A
rare disorder of copper metabolism, with liver and
neurologic problems. Tremor and |
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parkinsonism may occur
in this condition. |
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No Entry |
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No Entry |
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No Entry |
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