neurodegenerative
Causing neural decline
Neurodegenerative describes conditions in which nerve cells progressively deteriorate or die.
Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and ALS are neurodegenerative disorders.
The term appears almost exclusively in medical contexts: neurodegenerative diseases, neurodegenerative processes.
The degeneration typically worsens over time and cannot be reversed.
Degenerative brain disease
- Parkinson'sNeurodegenerative motor disorder
- Huntington'sInherited neurodegenerative condition
- ALSMotor neuron disease
- dementiaChronic cognitive impairment
multiple sclerosis · ataxia · prion · frontotemporal · amyloidosis · encephalopathy · myopathy · neuropathy
Wasting from disuse
- demyelinationNerve sheath degradation
- neurotoxicityHarmful effects on nerves
- misfoldingImproper protein conformation
- apoptosisProgrammed cell death
Worsening of thought abilities
- memory lossFailure to recall
- tremorInvoluntary rhythmic shaking
- rigidityState of being unbending
- motor impairmentDiminished control of movement
dysarthria · dysphagia · spasticity · weakness · confusion · disorientation · personality changes · gait disturbance
Favoring reform and innovation
- incurableCannot be healed
- chronicPersisting over time
- deteriorationProcess of declining quality
- worseningBecoming more severe
irreversible · debilitating · terminal · advancing · relentless · gradual · insidious · late-stage
Neuron-to-neuron transmission points
- axonsNeuron output extensions
- dendritesNeuron's signal-receiving projections
- myelinNerve fiber insulation
- astrocytesStar-shaped brain support cells
microglia · neurotransmitters · dopamine · acetylcholine · glutamate · basal ganglia · hippocampus · cortex
Controlled health research experiments
- biomarkersMeasurable disease indicators
- geneticsScience of hereditary transmission
- mutationPermanent DNA alteration
- familialPertaining to relatives
sporadic · gene therapy · stem cells · animal models · imaging · PET scan · MRI · neuropathology
Alzheimer's
Degenerative brain disease
- Parkinson'sNeurodegenerative motor disorder
- Huntington'sInherited neurodegenerative condition
- ALSMotor neuron disease
dementia · multiple sclerosis · ataxia · prion · frontotemporal · amyloidosis · encephalopathy · myopathy · neuropathy
atrophy
Wasting from disuse
- demyelinationNerve sheath degradation
- neurotoxicityHarmful effects on nerves
- misfoldingImproper protein conformation
cognitive decline
Worsening of thought abilities
- memory lossFailure to recall
- tremorInvoluntary rhythmic shaking
- rigidityState of being unbending
motor impairment · dysarthria · dysphagia · spasticity · weakness · confusion · disorientation · personality changes · gait disturbance · bradykinesia
progressive
Favoring reform and innovation
- incurableCannot be healed
- chronicPersisting over time
- deteriorationProcess of declining quality
worsening · irreversible · debilitating · terminal · advancing · relentless · gradual · insidious · late-stage · prognosis
synapses
Neuron-to-neuron transmission points
- axonsNeuron output extensions
- dendritesNeuron's signal-receiving projections
- myelinNerve fiber insulation
astrocytes · microglia · neurotransmitters · dopamine · acetylcholine · glutamate · basal ganglia · hippocampus · cortex · cerebellum
clinical trials
Controlled health research experiments
- biomarkersMeasurable disease indicators
- geneticsScience of hereditary transmission
- mutationPermanent DNA alteration
familial · sporadic · gene therapy · stem cells · animal models · imaging · PET scan · MRI · neuropathology · autopsy
neurodegenerativeregenerative
Able to renew itself
neuroprotective · neuroplastic · neurogenic · reparative · restorative
neurodegenerativeneuroprotective
Guarding neurons from harm
healthy · intact · functional · preserved · stable