Copy of `Cleveland Clinic - Alzheimers glossary`

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Cleveland Clinic - Alzheimers glossary Category: Health and Medicine > Degenerative diseases Date & country: 30/04/2018, USA Words: 247

Cerebral cortex
The outer layer of the brain, consisting of nerve cells and the pathways that connect them. The cerebral cortex is the part of the brain in which thought processes take place. In Alzheimer’s disease, nerve cells in the cerebral cortex degenerate and die.

Calcium channel blocker
A drug that blocks the entry of calcium into cells, thereby reducing activities that require calcium, such as the transmission of nerve impulses. Calcium channel blockers are used primarily in the treatment of certain heart conditions, but are being studied as potential treatments for Alzheimer’s disease.

Calcium
An element taken in through the diet that is essential for a variety of bodily functions, such as the transmission of nerve impulses, muscle contraction and proper heart function. Imbalances of calcium can lead to many health problems and can cause nerve cell death.

Case management
A term used to describe formal services planned by care professionals.

Caregiver
The primary person in charge of caring for an individual with a serious illness, such as Alzheimer’s disease; usually a family member or a designated health care professional.

Care planning
A written action plan containing strategies for delivering care that addresses an individual’s specific needs or problems.

Brain
With the spinal cord, one of two parts making up the central nervous system. The brain is the center of thought and emotion. It is responsible for the coordination and control of bodily activities and the interpretation of information from the senses.

Blood-brain barrier
The selective barrier that controls the entry of substances from the blood into the brain.

Blood tests
A series of tests routinely done on blood to look for abnormalities associated with various diseases and disorders.

Binswanger’s disease
A type of dementia associated with stroke-related changes in the brain.

Biotechnology
The use of biology, or the study of living things, and biological processes to make goods or develop technologies for the benefit of humanity. Biotechnology is often used in the fields of food, drugs, and energy.

Biomarker
Used to indicate or measure a biological process; for example, levels of a specific protein in blood or spinal fluid. Detecting biomarkers specific to a disease can aid in the identification, diagnosis and treatment of affected individuals, as well as people who may be at risk but who do not yet have symptoms.

Behavioral neurologist
A doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of behavioral and memory disorders that are due to brain disease.

Axon
The arm of a nerve cell that normally transmits outgoing signals from one cell to another.

Basal ganglia
Nerve cells in the brain’s grey matter that are involved in controlling aspects of movement, judgment, personality, and speech.

Beneficiary
An individual named in a will who is designated to receive all or part of an estate upon the death of the person who made the will.

Behavioral symptoms
In Alzheimer’s disease, emotional symptoms, such as wandering, depression, anxiety, hostility and sleep disturbances.

Autonomy
A person’s ability to make independent choices.

Autopsy
The examination of a body’s tissues and organs after death.

Atrophy
Shrinking in size; often used to describe the loss of brain tissue seen in Alzheimer’s disease during autopsy or on brain imaging.

Assisted living facility
A residential care setting that combines housing, support services and health care for people in the early or middle stages of a disabling disease, such as Alzheimer’s disease.

Assessment
An evaluation, usually performed by a physician, of a person’s mental, emotional and social capabilities.

Assay
The evaluation or testing of a substance for toxicity or impurities.

Asymptomatic
When there are no symptoms or no clear sign that disease is present.

Associated disorders
Conditions that are present at the same time.

Apathy
Lack of interest, concern or emotion.

Aphasia
Difficulty understanding the speech of others and/or expressing oneself verbally.

Art therapy
A form of therapy that allows people with dementia to express their feelings creatively through art.

Anxiety
A feeling of apprehension, fear, nervousness or dread accompanied by restlessness or tension.

Antidepressants
Medications used to treat depression. Antidepressants are not addictive; they do not make you "high," have a tranquilizing effect or produce a craving for more. They can cause drowsiness and other side effects.

Antibodies
Specialized proteins produced by the cells of the immune system that counteract specific foreign substances. Antibodies may also be produced outside the body and infused as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease.

Anti-inflammatory drugs
Drugs that reduce inflammation by modifying the body’s immune response.

Amyloid imaging
PET scan showing amyloid proteins in the brain.

Amyloid plaque
Abnormal clusters of dead and dying nerve cells, other brain cells, and amyloid protein fragments, characteristic of the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease.

Amino acids
The basic building blocks of proteins. There are 20 amino acids necessary for human growth and function.

Amyloid
A protein deposited in plaques in Alzheimer’s disease brains.

Ambulation
The ability to walk and move about freely.

Alzheimer’s disease
A progressive and fatal disease in which nerve cells in the brain degenerate and brain matter shrinks, resulting in impaired thinking, behavior and memory.

Allele
One of two or more alternative forms of a gene. For example, one allele of the gene for eye color codes for blue eyes, while another allele codes for brown eyes.

Alternative and complementary therapies
The use of techniques other than drugs, surgery or other conventional therapies to treat disease and manage chronic pain. Some common alternative therapies, also called complementary therapies, include the use of herbs, meditation and exercise, magnets, reflexology, massage and acupuncture.

Adverse reaction
A clinical trial term that includes any unexpected health or behavioral changes in the person participating in the trial.

Adult day services
Programs that provide participants with opportunities to interact with others, usually in a community center or dedicated facility.

Agitation
Vocal or motor behavior—such as screaming, shouting, complaining, moaning, cursing, pacing, fidgeting, wandering, etc.—that is disruptive, unsafe or interferes with the delivery of care in a particular environment.

Aggression
Hitting, pushing or threatening behavior that commonly occurs when a caregiver tries to help an Alzheimer’s disease patient with daily activities, such as grooming and dressing.

Acetylcholine
A chemical in the brain (neurotransmitter) that appears to be involved in learning and memory – Acetylcholine is greatly diminished in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease.

Advance directive
(living will) A document written when in "good" health that informs your family and health care providers of your wishes for extended medical treatment in times of emergency.

Activities of daily living
(ADLs) Personal care activities necessary for everyday living, such as eating, bathing, grooming, dressing and using the toilet.