Glossary of terms A-D
Acetylcholine:
A chemical in the brain that acts as a neurotransmitter.
Adult Stem cells:
Cells which are found in human/animal tissue of a developed body, ie after birth. They are specialised to the tissue which they can be found in, and are capable of regeneration to replace specific cells for those that have died or are lost.
Aggregration of a cell:
The clumping together of cells or bacteria which are suspended in a fliud. Aggregation occurs when there is abnormal changes to cellular structure.
Akinesia:
Refers to the inability to move, or absence of the ability to move.
Alleles:
Forms of the same gene with small differences in their sequence of DNA bases. These small differences contribute to each person’s unique physical features.
ALS:
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)/ Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is a progressive neurological disorder. The function of a neurone is affected, resulting in an inability to to receives and sends messages from the body to the brain and back to the body. As motor neurones degenerate, they can no longer send impulses to the muscle fibers that normally result in muscle movement, which in turn leads to muscle weakness and wasting.
Amino Acids:
Commonly known as the building blocks of proteins due to the fact that they are made up of small molecules that link together in long chains to form proteins.
ANG (Angiogenin) gene:
The ANG gene provides instructions for making a protein called angiogenin. This angiogenin protein promotes the formation of new blood vessels from pre-existing blood vessels through a process called angiogenesis.
Angiogenesis:
A process which enables angiogenin to stimulate the growth and division of endothelial cells, which line the inside surface of blood vessels, to form new blood vessels. Angiogenesis is important for restoring blood flow after an injury.
Ataxia:
Failure of muscular coordination, irregularity of muscular action - may lead to the loss of balance.
Atom:
A particle of matter that uniquely defines a chemical element. An atom consists of a central nucleus that is usually surrounded by one or more electrons.
Atrophy:
Progressive wasting of muscle.
Axon:
Nerve fibers that are capable of rapidly conducting impulses away from the neurone cell body.
Bulbar muscles:
Muscles in the head and neck that control speech, chewing and swallowing
Bulbar symptoms:
Symptoms involving the impairment of speech and swallowing.
Central Nervous System (CNS):
The brain and spinal cord.
Cell:
A cell is the basic structural and functional unit of all organisms.
Chromosome:
found in the nucleus of a cell, which contains the genes. Chromosomes come in pairs, and a normal human cell contains 46 chromosomes.
Compound:
A material made up of two or more elements.
Dementia:
acquired deterioration in cognitive abilities that impairs activities of daily living.
DNA:
A material found within the cell nucleus and is responsible for carrying genetic information. Each person has their own unique DNA.
DNA Bank:
A project funded by the MND Association that aims to collect and store samples of DNA from people with MND (who experienced their first symptoms after January 2002) and their unaffected carers / family. The bank will provide a resource for future investigation into the genetic causes of MND.
Dysarthria:
Impaired speech.
Dysphagia:
Impaired swallowing.
Dyspnea:
Difficulty breathing.
