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To help you better understand some of the terminology used
to describe aspects of Alzheimer’s disease, the Alzheimer’s
Association has developed this glossary of frequently used
terms.
A B C D E F G H I JK L M N
O P Q R S T UV W XYZ
abilities
Level at which certain actions and activities can be carried out.
acetylcholine
A neurotransmitter that appears to be involved in learning and memory. Acetylcholine
is severely diminished in the brains of persons with Alzheimer’s disease.
activities of daily living (ADLs)
Personal care activities necessary for everyday living, such as eating, bathing,
grooming, dressing, and toileting. People with dementia may not be able to
perform necessary functions without assistance. Professionals often assess
a person’s ADLs to determine what type of care is needed.
AD7C test
The AD7C test marketed by the Nymox Corporation detects
levels of a substance called neural thread protein in urine
or cerebrospinal fluid. The Alzheimer's Association does not
recommend use of this test either for diagnosing or "ruling
out" Alzheimer's disease. Studies supporting the validity
of the test have not been replicated by independent laboratories
or conducted in an adequate number of individuals. At this
time, there is no consensus among Alzheimer experts that this
test is valid or useful, and its use is not a part of any recognized
diagnostic guidelines developed by professional organizations.
Because elevated levels of neural thread protein have been
found not only in individuals with Alzheimer's but also in
those with brain tumors, strokes, and other neurological disorders,
higher than average levels cannot indicate or rule out Alzheimer's
disease. There is still no single test for Alzheimer’s
disease, and diagnosis is a multi-faceted process that must
be administered and evaluated by a skilled health care professional.
adult day services
Programs that provide participants with opportunities to interact with others,
usually in a community center or facility. Staff lead various activities
such as music programs and support groups. Transportation is often provided.
advance directives
Written documents, completed and signed when a person is legally competent,
that explain a person’s medical wishes in advance, allowing someone
else to make treatment decisions on his or her behalf later in the disease
process.
adverse reaction
An unexpected effect of drug treatment that may range from trivial to serious
or life-threatening, such as an allergic reaction.
age-matched controls
See controls.
agent
The individual—usually a trusted family member or friend—authorized
by a power of attorney to make legal decisions for another individual. In scientific
terms, “agent” sometimes refers to a drug as well.
aggression
Hitting, pushing, or threatening behavior that commonly occurs when a caregiver
attempts to help an individual with Alzheimer’s with daily activities,
such as dressing. It is important to control such behavior because aggressive
persons can cause injury to themselves and others.
agitation
Vocal or motor behavior (screaming, shouting, complaining, moaning, cursing,
pacing, fidgeting, wandering, etc.) that is disruptive, unsafe, or interferes
with the delivery of care in a particular environment. An abnormal behavior
is considered agitation only if it poses risk or discomfort to the individual
with Alzheimer’s or his/her caregiver. Agitation can be a nonspecific
symptom of one or more physical or psychological problems (e.g., headache,
depression).
allele
One of two or more alternative forms of a gene; for example, one allele of
the gene for eye color codes for blue eyes, while another allele codes for
brown eyes.
Alzheimer’s disease
A progressive, neurodegenerative disease characterized by loss of function
and death of nerve cells in several areas of the brain, leading to loss of
mental functions such as memory and learning. Alzheimer’s disease is
the most common cause of dementia.
ambulation
The ability to walk and move about freely.
amino acids
The basic building blocks of proteins. Genes contain the code fassembling protein
of the 20 amino acids necessary for human growth and function.
amyloid
A protein deposit associated with tissue degeneration; amyloid is found in
the brains of individuals with Alzheimer’s.
amyloid plaque
Abnormal cluster of dead and dying nerve cells, other brain cells, and amyloid
protein fragments. Amyloid plaques are one of the characteristic structural
abnormalities found in the brains of individuals with Alzheimer’s. Upon
autopsy, the presence of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles is used
to positively diagnose Alzheimer’s.
amyloid precursor protein (APP)
A protein found in the brain, heart, kidneys, lungs, spleen, and intestines.
The normal function of APP in the body is unknown. In Alzheimer’s disease,
APP is abnormally processed and converted to beta amyloid protein. Beta amyloid
is the protein deposited in amyloid plaques.
animal models
Normal animals modified mechanically, genetically or chemically, used to demonstrate
all or part of the characteristics of a disease. With models, researchers
can study the mechanisms of a disease and test therapies.
antibodies
Specialized proteins produced by the cells of the immune system that counteract
a specific foreign substance. The production of antibodies is the first line
of defense in the body’s immune response.
anti-inflammatory drugs
Drugs that reduce inflammation by modifying the body’s immune response.
anxiety
A feeling of apprehension, fear, nervousness, or dread accompanied by restlessness
or tension.
apathy
Lack of interest, concern, or emotion.
aphasia
Difficulty understanding the speech of others and/or expressing oneself
verbally.
apolipoprotein E
A protein whose main function is to transport cholesterol. The gene for this
protein is on chromosome 19 and is referred to as APOE. There are three forms
of APOE: e2, e3, and e4.
APOE-e4 is associated with about 60 percent of
late-onset Alzheimer’s cases and is considered a risk factor for the
disease.
apoptosis
Programmed cell death.
APP
See amyloid precursor protein.
art therapy
A form of therapy that allows people with dementia opportunities to express
their feelings creatively through art.
assay
The evaluation or testing of a substance for toxicity, impurities, or other
variables.
assessment
An evaluation, usually performed by a physician, of a person’s mental,
emotional, and social capabilities.
assisted living facility
A residential care setting that combines housing, support services, and health
care for people typically in the early or middle stages of Alzheimer’s
disease.
atrophy
Shrinking of size; often used to describe the loss of brain mass seen in Alzheimer’s
disease during autopsy.
autonomy
A person’s ability to make independent choices.
autopsy
Examination of a body organ and tissue after death. Autopsy is often performed
(upon request) to confirm a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.
axon
The arm of a nerve cell that normally transmits outgoing signals from one cell
body to another. Each nerve cell has one axon, which can be relatively short
in the brain but can be up to three feet long in other parts of the body.
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behavioral symptoms
In Alzheimer’s disease, symptoms that relate to action or emotion, such
as wandering, depression, anxiety, hostility, and sleep disturbances.
beneficiary
An individual named in a will who is designated to receive all or part of an
estate upon the death of a will maker.
beta amyloid protein
A specific type of amyloid normally found in humans and animals. In Alzheimer’s
disease, beta amyloid is abnormally processed by nerve cells and becomes deposited
in amyloid plaques in the brains of persons with the disease.
Binswanger’s disease
A type of dementia associated with stroke-related changes in the brain.
biomarker
Used to indicate or measure a biological process (for instance, levels of a
specific protein in blood or spinal fluid, genetic mutations, or brain abnormalities
observed in a PET scan or other imaging test). Detecting biomarkers specific
to a disease can aid in the identification, diagnosis, and treatment of affected
individuals and people who may be at risk but do not yet exhibit symptoms.
blood-brain barrier
The selective barrier that controls the entry of substances from the blood
into the brain.
brain
One of the two components of the central nervous system, the brain is the center
of thought and emotion. It is responsible for the coordination and control
of bodily activities, and the interpretation of information from the senses
(sight, hearing, smell, etc.).
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calcium
An element taken in through the diet that is essential for a variety of bodily
functions, such as neurotransmission, muscle contraction, and proper heart
function. Imbalances of calcium can lead to many health problems and can
cause nerve cell death.
calcium channel blocker
A drug that blocks the entry of calcium into cells, thereby reducing activities
that require calcium, such as neurotransmission. Calcium channel blockers
are used primarily in the treatment of certain heart conditions but are being
studied as potential treatments for Alzheimer’s disease.
caregiver
The primary person in charge of caring for an individual with Alzheimer’s
disease, usually a family member or a designated health care professional.
care planning
A written action plan containing strategies for delivering care that address
an individual’s specific needs or problems.
case management
A term used to describe formal services planned by care professionals.
cell
The fundamental unit of all organisms; the smallest structural unit capable
of independent functioning.
cell body
In nerve cells, the central portion from which axons and dendrites sprout.
The cell body controls the life-sustaining functions of a nerve cell.
cell culture
Cells grown in a test tube or other laboratory device for experimental purposes.
cell membrane
The outer boundary of the cell. The cell membrane helps control what substances
enter or exit the cell.
central nervous system (CNS)
One of the two major divisions of the nervous system. Composed of the brain
and spinal cord, the CNS is the control network for the entire body.
cerebral cortex
The outer layer of the brain, consisting of nerve cells and the pathways that
connect them. The cerebral cortex is the part of the brain in which thought
processes take place. In Alzheimer’s disease, nerve cells in the cerebral
cortex degenerate and die.
cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
The fluid that fills the areas surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
choline
A natural substance required by the body that is obtained from various foods,
such as eggs; an essential component of acetylcholine.
choline acetyltransferase (CAT)
An enzyme that controls the production of acetylcholine; appears to be depleted
in the brains of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease.
cholinergic system
The system of nerve cells that uses acetylcholine as its neurotransmitter and
is damaged in the brains of individuals with Alzheimer’s.
cholinesterase
An enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine, into active parts that can be recycled.
chromosome
An H-shaped structure inside the cell nucleus made up of tightly coiled strands
of genes. Each chromosome is numbered (in humans, 1-46). Genes on chromosome
1, 14, 19, and 21 are associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
clinical trials
Organized studies that test the value of various treatments, such as drugs
or surgery, in human beings.
coexisting illness
A medical condition that exists simultaneously with another, such as arthritis
and dementia.
cognitive abilities
Mental abilities such as judgment, memory, learning, comprehension, and reasoning.
cognitive symptoms
In Alzheimer’s disease, the symptoms that relate to loss of thought processes,
such as learning, comprehension, memory, reasoning, and judgment.
combativeness
Incidents of aggression.
competence
A person’s ability to make informed choices.
computed tomography (CT scan)
A type of imaging scan that shows the internal structure of a person’s
brain. In diagnosing dementia, CT scans can reveal tumors and small strokes
in the brain.
conservator
In some states, the guardian who manages an individual’s assets.
continuum of care
Care services available to assist individuals throughout the course of the
disease.
controls
A group of people or animals that does not receive a treatment or other intervention
or that is not affected with the disease being studied. This group is used
as a standard to compare any changes in a group that receives treatment or
has the disease. In Alzheimer research patients are often compared with controls
of the same age (age-matched) to rule out the effects of age on study results.
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD)
A rare, ultimately fatal disorder of infectious or genetic origin that typically
causes memory failure and behavioral changes. A recently identified form
called “variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD)” is the human disorder thought
to be caused by eating meat from cattle affected by “mad cow disease” (bovine
spongiform encephalopathy). VCJD tends to appear in much younger individuals
than those affected by sporadic or inherited Creutzfeldt-Jakob.
CT scan
See computed tomography.
cueing
The process of providing cues, prompts, hints, and other meaningful information,
direction, or instruction to aid a person who is experiencing memory difficulties.
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deficits
Physical and/or cognitive skills or abilities that a person has lost, has difficulty
with, or can no longer perform due to his or her dementia.
delusion
A false idea typically originating from a misinterpretation but firmly believed
and strongly maintained in spite of contradictory proof or evidence.
dementia
The loss of intellectual functions (such as thinking, remembering, and reasoning)
of sufficient severity to interfere with a person’s daily functioning.
Dementia is not a disease itself but rather a group of symptoms that may
accompany certain diseases or conditions. Symptoms may also include changes
in personality, mood, and behavior. Dementia is irreversible when caused
by disease or injury but may be reversible when caused by drugs, alcohol,
hormone or vitamin imbalances, or depression.
dementia-capable
Skilled in working with people with dementia and their caregivers, knowledgeable
about the kinds of services that may help them, and aware of which agencies
and individuals provide such services.
dementia-specific
Services that are provided specifically for people with dementia.
dendrites
Branched extensions of the nerve cell body that receive signals from other
nerve cells. Each nerve cell usually has many dendrites.
diagnosis
The process by which a physician determines what disease a patient has by studying
the patient’s symptoms and medical history and analyzing any tests performed
(blood, urine, brain scans, etc.).
disorientation
A cognitive disability in which the senses of time, direction, and recognition
become difficult to distinguish.
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)
A chain of nucleotides (cytosine, guanine, adenine, or thymine) linked with
ribose sugar molecules that form the basis of genetic material. Specific
patterns of nucleotides represent particular genes.
double-blind, placebo-controlled study
A research procedure in which neither researchers nor patients know who is
receiving the experimental substance or treatment and who is receiving a
placebo.
Down syndrome
A syndrome that causes slowed growth, abnormal facial features, and mental
retardation. Down syndrome is caused by an extra copy of all or part of chromosome
21. Most individuals with Down syndrome develop Alzheimer’s disease
in adulthood.
durable power of attorney
A legal document that allows an individual (the principal) an opportunity to
authorize an agent (usually a trusted family member or friend) to make legal
decisions for when the person is no longer able to do so themselves.
durable power of attorney for health care
A legal document that allows an individual to appoint an agent to make all
decisions regarding health care, including choices regarding health care
providers, medical treatment, and, in the later stages of the disease, end-of-life
decisions.
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early-onset Alzheimer’s disease
An unusual form of Alzheimer’s in which individuals are diagnosed with
Alzheimer’s before the age of 65. Less than 10 percent of all Alzheimer
patients have early-onset. Early-onset Alzheimer’s is associated with
mutations in genes located on chromosomes 1, 14, and 21.
early stage
The beginning stages of Alzheimer’s disease when an individual experiences
very mild to moderate cognitive impairments.
elder law attorney
An attorney who practices in the area of elder law, a specialized area of law
focusing on issues that typically affect older adults.
electron microscope
A powerful microscope that employs a stream of electrons to magnify an image.
environment
Physical and interpersonal surroundings that can affect mood and behaviors
in people with dementia.
enzyme
A protein produced by living organisms that promotes or otherwise influences
chemical reactions.
estrogen
A hormone produced by the ovaries and testes. It stimulates the development
of secondary sexual characteristics and induces menstruation in women. Estrogen
is important for the maintenance of normal brain function and development
of nerve cells. Estrogen is used therapeutically to treat breast and prostate
cancer and osteoporosis, and to relieve the discomforts of menopause. Some
research suggests that estrogen may be beneficial in preventing Alzheimer’s
disease. More studies are needed to confirm this.
excitotoxicity
Overstimulation of nerve cells by nerve impulses. Excitotoxicity often leads
to cell damage or death.
executor
The individual named in a will who manages the estate of a deceased individual.
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familial Alzheimer’s disease
A form of Alzheimer’s disease that runs in families.
fatty acids
Acids within the body derived from the breakdown of fats.
free radicals
Highly reactive molecules capable of causing damage in brain and other tissue.
Free radicals are common by-products of normal chemical reactions occurring
in cells. The body has several mechanisms to deactivate free radicals.
free-standing, dementia-specific care center
A facility solely dedicated to the care of people with dementia. This building
can sometimes be part of a larger campus.
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gait
A person’s manner of walking. People in the later stages of Alzheimer’s
often have “reduced gait,” meaning their ability to lift their feet
as they walk has dimished.
gene
The basic unit of heredity; a section of DNA coding for a particular trait.
gene linkage
A group of genes located close together on a chromosome.
gene regulation
The control of the rate or manner in which a gene is expressed.
genetic susceptibility
The state of being more likely than the average person to develop a disease
as a result of genetics.
genome
All the genes of an organism.
glucose
A simple sugar that is a major energy source for all cellular and bodily functions.
Glucose is obtained through the breakdown, or metabolism, of food in the
digestive system.
glutamate
An amino acid neurotransmitter normally involved in learning and memory. Under
certain circumstances it can be an excitotoxin and appears to cause nerve
cell death in a variety of neurodegenerative disorders.
guardian
An individual appointed by the courts who is authorized to make legal and financial
decisions for another individual.
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hallucination
A sensory experience in which a person can see, hear, smell, taste, or feel
something that isn’t there.
hippocampus
A part of the brain that is important for learning and memory.
hoarding
Collecting and putting things away in a guarded manner.
hospice
Philosophy and approach to providing comfort and care at life’s end rather
than heroic lifesaving measures.
Huntington’s disease
An inherited, degenerative brain disease affecting the mind and body, characterized
by intellectual decline and involuntary movement of limbs.
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immune system
A system of cells that protect a person from bacteria, viruses, toxins, and
other foreign substances that enter the body.
incidence
See prevalence
incontinence
Loss of bladder and/or bowel control.
inflammatory response
The immune system’s normal response to tissue injury or abnormal stimulation
caused by a physical, chemical, or biological substance. Immune system cells,
if abnormally stimulated, can often cause further tissue damage while responding
to the injured site.
instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs)
Secondary level of activities (different from ADLs, such as eating, dressing,
and bathing) important to daily living, such as cooking, writing, and driving.
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late-onset Alzheimer’s disease
The most common form of Alzheimer’s disease, usually occurring after age
65. Late-onset Alzheimer’s strikes almost half of all people over the
age of 85 and may or may not be hereditary.
late stage
Designation given when dementia symptoms have progressed to the extent that
a person has little capacity for self-care.
layering
Behavior that involves inappropriately changing or layering clothing on top
of one another.
Lewy body dementia
A dementing illness associated with protein deposits called Lewy bodies, found
in the cortex of the brain.
living trust
A legal document that allows an individual (the grantor or trustor) to create
a trust and appoint someone else as trustee (usually a trusted individual
or bank) to carefully invest and manage his or her assets.
living will
A legal document that expresses an individual’s decision on the use of
artificial life support systems.
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magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
A brain scanning technique that generates cross-sectional images of a human
brain by detecting small molecular changes. MRI scans reveal a contrast between
normal and abnormal tissues. The image produced is similar to those generated
by CT scans. There are no side effects or risks associated with MRI scans,
although MRI can affect electrical devices like pacemakers and hearing aids.
Medicaid
A program sponsored by the federal government and administered by states that
is intended to provide health care and health-related services to low-income
individuals.
Medicare
A federal health insurance program for people age 65 and older and for individuals
with disabilities.
memory
The ability to process information that requires attention, storage, and retrieval.
metabolism
The complex chemical and physical processes of living organisms that promote
growth, sustain life, and enable all other bodily functions to take place.
microglia (microglial cells)
A type of immune cell found in the brain. Microglia are scavengers, engulfing
dead cells and other debris. In Alzheimer’s disease, microglia are found
associated with dying nerve cells and amyloid plaques.
MID
See multi-infarct dementia.
Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)
A standard mental status exam routinely used to measure a person’s basic
cognitive skills, such as short-term memory, long-term memory, orientation,
writing, and language.
mitochondria
Components found in cells that serve as primary energy sources for all cellular
functions.
model system
A system used to study processes that take place in humans or other living
organisms.
monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B)
An enzyme that breaks down certain neurotransmitters, including dopamine, serotonin,
and noradrenaline.
monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)
A drug that interferes with the action of monoamine oxidase, slowing the breakdown
of certain neurotransmitters. Used in the treatment of depression.
MRI
See magnetic resonance imaging.
multi-infarct dementia (MID)
A form of dementia, also known as vascular dementia, caused by a number of
strokes in the brain. These strokes can affect some intellectual abilities,
impair motor and walking skills, and cause an individual to experience hallucinations,
delusions, or depression. The onset of MID is usually abrupt and often progresses
in a stepwise fashion. Individuals with MID are likely to have risk factors
for strokes, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, or diabetes. MID
cannot be treated; once the nerve cells die, they cannot be replaced. However,
risk factors can be treated, which may help prevent further damage.
music therapy
Use of music to improve physical, psychological, cognitive, and social functioning.
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nerve cell (neuron)
The basic working unit of the nervous system. The nerve cell is typically composed
of a cell body containing the nucleus, several short branches (dendrites),
and one long arm (the axon) with short branches along its length and at its
end. Nerve cells send signals that control the actions of other cells in
the body, such as other nerve cells and muscle cells.
nerve cell line
A group of nerve cells derived from a cell culture that can be used for experimental
purposes.
nerve cell transplantation
An experimental procedure in which normal brain cells are implanted into diseased
areas of the brain to replace dying or damaged cells.
nerve growth factor (NGF)
A protein that promotes nerve cell growth and may protect some types of nerve
cells from damage.
neuritic plaque
See amyloid plaque.
neurodegenerative disease
A type of neurological disorder marked by the loss of nerve cells. See Alzheimer’s
disease, Parkinson’s disease.
neurofibrillary tangle
Accumulation of twisted protein fragments inside nerve cells. Neurofibrillary
tangles are one of the characteristic structural abnormalities found in the
brains of Alzheimer patients. Upon autopsy, the presence of amyloid plaques
and neurofibrillary tangles is used to positively diagnose Alzheimer’s.
neurological disorder
Disturbance in structure or function of the nervous system resulting from developmental
abnormality, disease, injury, or toxin.
neurologist
A physician who diagnoses and treats disorders of the nervous system.
neuron
See nerve cell.
neuropathology
Changes in the brain produced by a disease.
neurotransmission
Passage of signals from one nerve cell to another via chemical substances or
electrical signals.
neurotransmitter
Specialized chemical messenger (e.g., acetylcholine, dopamine, norepinephrine,
serotonin) that sends a message from one nerve cell to another. Most neurotransmitters
play different roles throughout the body, many of which are not yet known.
neurotrophic factor
A protein, such as nerve growth factor, that promotes nerve cell growth and
survival.
nucleus
The central component of a cell; contains all genetic material.
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onset
Defines time of life when Alzheimer’s disease begins (e.g., early-onset,
late-onset).
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pacing
Aimless wandering, often triggered by an internal stimulus (e.g., pain, hunger,
or boredom) or some distraction in the environment (e.g., noise, smell, temperature).
paranoia
Suspicion of others that is not based on fact.
Parkinson’s disease
A progressive, neurodegenerative disease characterized by the death of nerve
cells in a specific area of the brain; the cause of nerve cell death is unknown.
Parkinson patients lack the neurotransmitter dopamine and have such symptoms
as tremors, speech impediments, movement difficulties, and often dementia
later in the course of the disease.
peripheral nervous system (PNS)
One of the two major divisions of the nervous system. Nerves in the PNS connect
the central nervous system with sensory organs, other organs, muscles, blood
vessels, and glands.
perseveration
Persistent repetition of an activity, word, phrase, or movement, such as tapping,
wiping, and picking.
personal care
See activities of daily living.
PET scan
See positron emission tomography scan.
pharmacology
The study of drugs, including their composition, production, uses, and effects
in the body.
phosphorylation
The chemical addition of a phosphate group (phosphate and oxygen) to a protein
or another compound.
Pick’s disease
Type of dementia in which degeneration of nerve cells causes dramatic alterations
in personality and social behavior but typically does not affect memory until
later in the disease.
placebo
An inactive material in the same form as an active drug, —for example,
a sugar pill. See double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
plaques and tangles
See amyloid plaque and neurofibrillary tangle.
positron emission tomography scan (PET scan)
An imaging scan that measures the activity or functional level of the brain
by measuring its use of glucose.
presenilins
Proteins that may be linked to early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Genes
that code for presenilin 1 and presenilin 2 have been found on chromosomes
14 and 1, respectively, and are linked to early-onset familial Alzheimer’s
disease.
prevalence
The total number of individuals who have a disease at a given point in time. For example, the estimate that 4.5 million Americans currently have Alzheimer’s disease is a prevalence statistic. Incidence is the number of new cases expected to occur over the course of a year or some other limited period.
principal
The individual signing the power of attorney to authorize another individual
to legally make decisions for him or her.
prions
Protein segments that may cause infection that may lead to some forms of dementia.
proteases
Enzymes that aid in the breakdown of proteins in the body.
protein metabolism
The breakdown of proteins into amino acids, a process essential to human growth
and metabolism.
psychosis
A general term for a state of mind in which thinking becomes irrational and/or
disturbed. It refers primarily to delusions, hallucinations, and other severe
thought disturbances.
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quality care
Term used to describe care and services that allow recipients to attain and
maintain their highest level of mental, physical, and psychological function,
in a dignified and caring way.
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reassurance
Encouragement intended to relieve tension, fear, and confusion that can result
from dementing illnesses.
receptor
A site on a nerve cell that receives a specific neurotransmitter; the message
receiver.
receptor agonist
A substance that mimics a specific neurotransmitter, is able to attach to that
neurotransmitter’s receptor, and thereby produces the same action that
the neurotransmitter usually produces. Drugs are often designed as receptor
agonists to treat a variety of diseases and disorders in which the original
chemical substance is missing or depleted.
recombinant DNA technology
Artificial rearrangement of DNA; segments of DNA from one organism can be incorporated
into the genetic makeup of another organism. Using these techniques, researchers
can study the characteristics and actions of specific genes. Many modern
genetic research methods are based on recombinant DNA technology.
reinforcement
Employment of praise, repetition, and stimulation of the senses to preserve
a person’s memory, capabilities, and level of self-assurance.
reminiscence
Life review activity aimed at surfacing and reviewing positive memories and
experiences.
repetitive behaviors
Repeated questions, stories, and outbursts or specific activities done over
and over again, common in people with dementia.
respite
A short break or time away.
respite care
Services that provide people with temporary relief from tasks associated with
caregiving (e.g., in-home assistance, short nursing home stays, adult day
care).
restraints
Devices used to ensure safety by restricting and controlling a person’s
movement. Many facilities are “restraint free” or use alternative
methods to help modify behavior.
risk factors
Factors that have been shown to increase one’s odds of developing a disease.
In Alzheimer’s disease, the only established risk factors are age, family
history, and genetics.
rummaging
Searching through one's own or someone else's belongings in a way that may seem haphazard and undirected to an observer.
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Safe Return
The Alzheimer’s Association’s nationwide identification, support,
and registration program that assists in the safe return of individuals with
Alzheimer’s or related dementia who wander and become lost.
senile plaque
See amyloid plaque.
senility
Term meaning “old,” once used to describe elderly diagnosed with
dementia. Today, we know dementia is caused by various diseases (e.g., Alzheimer’s)
and is not a normal part of aging.
sequencing
In human behavior, doing things in a logical, predictable order.
shadowing
Following, mimicking, and interrupting behaviors that people with dementia
may experience.
side effect
An undesired effect of a drug treatment that may range in severity from barely
noticeable, to uncomfortable, to dangerous. Side effects are usually predictable.
skilled nursing care
Level of care that includes ongoing medical or nursing services.
special care unit
Designated area of a residential care facility or nursing home that cares specifically
for the needs of people with Alzheimer’s.
spinal cord
One of the two components of the central nervous system. The spinal cord is
the main relay for signals between the brain and the rest of the body.
stages
Course of disease progression defined by levels or periods of severity: early,
mild, moderate, moderately severe, severe.
sundowning
Unsettled behavior evident in the late afternoon or early evening.
support group
Facilitated gathering of caregivers, family, friends, or others affected by
a disease or condition for the purpose of discussing issues related to the
disease.
suspiciousness
A mistrust common in Alzheimer patients as their memory becomes progressively
worse. A common example is when patients believe their glasses or other belongings
have been stolen because they forgot where they left them.
synapse
The junction where a signal is transmitted from one nerve cell to another,
usually by a neurotransmitter.
synaptic vesicles
Small sacs located at the ends of nerve cell axons that contain neurotransmitters.
During activity the vesicles release their contents at the synapse, and the
neurotransmitter stimulates receptors on other cells.
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tangles
See neurofibrillary tangles.
tau protein
The major protein that makes up neurofibrillary tangles found in degenerating
nerve cells. Tau is normally involved in maintaining the internal structure
of the nerve cell. In Alzheimer’s disease, tau protein is abnormally
processed.
tissue
A group of similar cells that act together in the performance of a particular
function.
toxin
A substance that can cause illness, injury, or death. Toxins are produced by
living organisms.
trigger
An environmental or personal stimulus that sets off particular and sometimes
challenging behavior.
trustee
The individual or bank managing the assets of the living trust.
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Variant Creuzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD)
A recently identified form of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease believed to be caused
by eating meat from cattle affected by “mad cow disease” (bovine spongiform
encephalopathy). VCJD tends to appear in much younger individuals than those
affected by sporadic or inherited Creutzfeldt-Jakob.
vesicle
A small pouch or pouch-like structure (sac). Vesicles in nerve cell axons contain
neurotransmitters.
vitamins
Various substances found in plants and animals that are required for life-sustaining
processes.
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wandering
Common behavior that causes people with dementia to stray and become lost in
familiar surroundings.
will
A legal document created by an individual that names an executor (the person
who will managed the estate) and beneficiaries (persons who will receive
the estate at the time of death).
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zinc
A metal that is essential for proper nutrition. It is unknown if zinc plays
a role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease.
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