Chapter 10 Flashcards
absence seizure
form of seizure consisting of momentary clouding of consciousness and loss of awareness or surroundings
aneurysm
enlarged, weakened area in an arterial wall, which may rupture, leading to hemorrhage and CVA (stroke)
astrocytoma
malignant brain tumor of astrocytes (glial brain cells)
aura
peculiar symptom or sensation occurring before the onset (prodromal) of an attack of migraine or an epileptic seizure
dementia
mental decline and deterioration
demyelination
destruction of myelin on axons of neurons (as in multiple sclerosis)
dopamine
CNS neurotransmitter, deficient in patient with Parkinson disease
embolus
clot of material that travels through the bloodstream and suddenly blocks a vessel
gait
manner of walking
ictal event
pertaining to a sudden, acute onset, as with convulsions of an epileptic seizure
occlusion
blockage
palliative
relieving symptoms but not curing them
thymectomy
removal of the thymus gland
TIA
transient ischemic attack
tic
involuntary movement of a small group of muscles, as of the face; characteristic of Tourette syndrome
tonic-clonic seizure
major (grand mal) convulsive seizure marked by sudden loss of consciousness, stiffening of muscles, and twitching and jerking movements
AD
alzheimer disease
AFP
alpha-fetoprotein
ALS
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig disease)
AVM
arteriovenous malformation; congenital tangle of arteries and veins in the cerebrum
BBB
blood-brain barrier
CGRP
calcitonin gene-related peptide; protein that is related to migraine pain
CNS
central nervous system
