A
acetylcholine
A neurotransmitter crucial to memory and learning.
ADmark Assays
Two clinical tests for Alzheimer’s disease. One measures beta-amyloid and tau protein in the spinal fluid; the other tests for the apolipoprotein E4 genotype.
age-associated memory impairment
Normal forgetfulness that increases with age.
Alzheimer’s disease (AD)
A progressive brain disorder that is characterized by deterioration of mental faculties resulting from the loss of nerve cells and the connections between them.
amnestic syndrome
Severe memory loss despite maintenance of normal intelligence.
amyloid plaques
Dense deposits of beta-amyloid, pieces of damaged nerve cells, and other proteins. Found in the brains of virtually all people with Alzheimer’s disease.
amyloid precursor protein (APP)
A protein that is split in two by enzymes to produce beta-amyloid.
aphasia
A partial or complete inability to use or understand language.
apolipoprotein E (APOE)
A gene on chromosome 19. The E4 version of this gene is associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
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B
beta-amyloid
A sticky, starch-like protein that is the main component of amyloid plaques.
bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE)
An infectious disease of cows with manifestations similar to Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans. More commonly known as mad cow disease.
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C
carotid endarterectomy
Surgical removal of a blockage in one of the carotid arteries (the main arteries leading to the brain).
cerebellum
A fist-sized structure that coordinates movement and balance. Located at the base of the brain beneath the cerebral cortex.
cerebral cortex
The convoluted outer layer of gray matter that constitutes the "thinking" portion of the brain.
choline
A substance used by the body to produce acetylcholine. Present in foods such as egg yolks, liver, and wheat germ.
cholinesterase inhibitors
Medications that slow the breakdown of acetylcholine. Used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
colchicine
An anti-inflammatory drug commonly used to treat gout. Currently being tested as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease.
complete blood cell count
Measures cellular elements of blood: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Helps rule out anemia, infections, and vitamin B12 deficiency as causes of dementia or as factors that can exacerbate dementia.
computed tomography (CT)
An imaging technique that uses x-rays to create a two-dimensional image of the brain or other parts of the body.
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD)
A rare, fatal brain disorder that causes a rapid, progressive dementia. Sometimes mistaken for Alzheimer’s disease.
Cushing’s disease
A disorder resulting from the overproduction of hormones by the adrenal gland. Also called Cushing disease.
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D
dementia
A significant intellectual decline or impairment in several areas of thinking that persists over time.
dementia with Lewy bodies
A type of dementia characterized by episodes of confusion, falls, and hallucinations, as well as signs of parkinsonism early in the disease.
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E
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F
frontotemporal dementia
A spectrum of disorders associated with impaired initiation of plans and goal setting, personality changes, language difficulties, and unawareness of any loss of mental function.
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G
gray matter
The area of the brain, gray in appearance, that contains cell bodies (as opposed to white matter, which contains the nerve fibers that extend from the cell bodies).
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H
hippocampus
A small, "S"-shaped structure in the brain that appears to play a major role in the process of forging memories.
Huntington’s disease
A rare, hereditary disorder of the central nervous system characterized by uncontrollable movements and dementia. Also called Huntington disease.
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I
incontinence
An inability to control urination or defecation.
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J
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K
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L
lecithin
A substance used by the body to produce acetylcholine. Occurs naturally in food.
Lewy bodies
Abnormal structures found in cells throughout the brain in people who have the type of dementia named for these structures (see "dementia with Lewy bodies" above).
long-term memory
Holds information that was learned as recently as a few minutes ago and as long ago as early childhood.
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M
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
An imaging technique that uses a powerful magnet, rather than x-rays, to create a two-dimensional image of various areas of the body, including the brain.
microtubules
An internal transport system in nerve cells. Collapsed microtubules form neurofibrillary tangles.
mild cognitive impairment (MCI)
Forgetfulness that is worse than normal for one’s age but is not associated with certain cognitive problems common in dementia, such as disorientation or confusion. The severity of MCI falls between that of age-associated memory impairment and early dementia.
Mini-Mental State Examination
A test of mental status used to check for any basic cognitive impairment.
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N
neurofibrillary tangles
Twisted, hair-like threads, composed mainly of the protein tau, that remain after the microtubules in the nerve cell collapse. Found in the brains of virtually all people with Alzheimer’s disease.
neuron
Nerve cell.
neurotransmitter
A specialized chemical that relays messages between nerve cells.
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
A class of drugs commonly used to treat arthritis that has been investigated for the treatment and prevention of Alzheimer’s disease.
normal-pressure hydrocephalus
A condition characterized by excess fluid in the brain that can result in dementia.
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O
palilalia
Compulsive repetition of a word or phrase with increasing rapidity.
parkinsonism
The symptoms of Parkinson’s disease: tremors; rigid, stooped posture; slowness; and shuffling gait.
Parkinson’s disease
A progressive neurological disease characterized by tremors, stooped posture, slow movement, poor balance, and shuffling gait.
Pick’s disease
A type of frontotemporal dementia characterized by impaired initiation of plans and goal setting, personality changes, unawareness of any loss of mental function, and language difficulties. Also called Pick disease.
prednisone
A steroid drug with powerful anti-inflammatory effects. Currently being tested as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease.
presenilin-1 (PS-1)
A gene on chromosome 14 that may be linked to Alzheimer’s disease.
presenilin-2 (PS-2)
A gene on chromosome 1 that may be linked to Alzheimer’s disease.
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Q
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R
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S
selegiline
A medication used to treat Parkinson’s disease that is currently being tested as a therapy for Alzheimer’s disease.
short-term memory
Also known as working memory. Sometimes equated with consciousness.
Short Test of Mental Status
A mental status test given to check for any basic cognitive impairment.
subdural hematoma
A collection of blood between the skull and the brain that can lead to memory problems and loss of consciousness.
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T
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U
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V
vascular dementia
Dementia resulting from blood vessel disease, typically from a series of tiny strokes.
vasopressin
A hormone produced by the hypothalamus that is used as an alternative treatment to enhance memory.
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W
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X
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Y
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Z
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Derived from The Johns Hopkins White Paper 2007: Memory
Look In the Book: Memory
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Posted in Memory on April 14, 2007
Reviewed May 2007
