Alzheimers Dictionary

acetylcholinerase: An important neurotransmitter (a substance that enables nerve cell impulses to jump the gap between two nerve cells).

acetylcholinesterase: An enzyme found in nerve cells that reacts with the neurotransmitter acetylcholinerase.

Alzheimer's disease: A chronic brain disease that results in progressive and irreversible damage to neurons. Symptoms of Alzheimer's include dementia, memory loss, impaired judgment, loss of cognitive functions, confusion and eventual loss of language.

amyloid: Complex proteins that form plaque deposits in the brains of Alzheimer's patients.

anxiolytics: Medications designed to relieve anxiety.

APP (amyloid precursor protein): A protein that occurs naturally in the brain. If something causes an abnormal degrading of APP, amyloid proteins form.

axon: A long, thin nerve cell "tail" that transports electric impulses from the nerve cell body.

beta amyloid: The predominant amyloid protein found in Alzheimer's disease plaques.

caregiver: A family member or health care professional who cares for an incapacitated individual.

cerebral cortex: The layer of "gray matter" that covers the brain's cerebral hemisphere. The cerebral cortex controls most higher mental functions, including memory, thought, language and problem solving.

cerebrospinal: Of or related to the brain and spinal cord.

cerebrovascular: Of or related to the brain and the brain's blood vessels.

cholinesterase inhibitors: A family of medications used to treat early stage Alzheimer's symptoms by improving cognitive functioning.

cognitive function: The ability to access and use higher brain functions, such as thinking, language, problem solving and reasoning.

constipation: Infrequent bowel movements, often described as pebble-like and hard to pass.

CT scan: A medical scan that uses energy waves to construct computerized images of the body or brain.

decubitus ulcers: The medical term for bed sores.

dementia: A term used to describe a number of brain disorders that cause loss of cognitive function. Most types of dementia worsen with time.

donepezil: A medication used to treat dementia by improving mental functioning.

dopamine: A neurotransmitter produced by the hypothalamus.