Glossary
Alpha-synuclein: one in a family of structurally related proteins that are prominently expressed in the CNS. Aggregated alpha-synuclein proteins form brain lesions that are hallmarks of some neurodegenerative diseases. The gene for alpha-synuclein, which is called SNCA, is on chromosome 4q21. One form of hereditary Parkinson disease is due to mutations in SNCA. Another form of hereditary Parkinson disease is due to a triplication of SNCA. See also: Parkinson disease gene.
Catechol-o-methyl transferase (COMT): an enzyme that catalyzes the degradation of catecholamines, including the neurotransmitters dopamine, adrenaline and noradrenaline. COMT is also important in the metabolism of catechol drugs used in the treatment of Parkinson disease.
Cheese reaction: direct consequence of MAO inhibition, occurs when amines (mainly tyramine) produced during fermentation are ingested. Tyramine usually metabolised by MAO in gut and liver, but MAO inhibition allows it to be absorbed. This results in acute hypertension, and potential intracranial haemorrhage.
D2 receptors: A class of dopamine receptor identified by their binding profiles for ligands, their molecular biology, and, perhaps their mode of action. D2 receptors inhibit adenylate cyclase via the Gi G protein.
Dopaminergic: Of, relating to, or activated by dopamine.
Dopa carboxylase: one of the aromatic-l-amino-acid decarboxylases, the enzyme is responsible for the conversion of dopa to dopamine.
Executive dysfunction: The cognitive process that regulates an individual's ability to organize thoughts and activities, prioritize tasks, manage time efficiently, and make decisions
Festination: Involuntary shortening of stride and quickening of gait
GABAergic: transmitting or secreting γ-aminobutyric acid
Globus paladius externa GPe: the outer and darker gray portion of the lentiform nucleus of the brain
Globus paladius interna (GPi): the inner and lighter gray portion of the lentiform nucleus of the brain
Glutamate: a salt of glutamic acid, and a mojor excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS.
Hallervorden-Spatz disease: a rare genetic disorder characterized by progressive extrapyramidal dysfunction and dementia. Onset of the disease is most commonly in late childhood or early adolescence. The disease can be familial or idiopathic. When familial, it is inherited recessively and has been linked to mutations in chromosome 20p13 including the PANK2 gene.
Idiopathic: a disease that is of unknown cause, or origin.
Lewy bodies: concentric spheres found inside vacuoles in midbrain and brainstem neurons of patients with idiopathic parkinsonism, Alzheimer's disease, and other neurodegenerative conditions.
MAO-B: an enzyme which inhibits the action of dopamine.
Muscarinic acetylcholine receptor: cholinergic receptors of autonomic effector cells (and also on some autonomic ganglion cells and some central neurons) that are stimulated by muscarine and parasympathomimetic drugs and antagonized by atropine.
Pathognomonic: sign or symptom that is such a prominent characteristic of a disease that it makes the diagnosis.
Peritoneal fibrosis: Fibrotic encasement of the entire small intestine, due to fibroblastic proliferation and reactive fibrosis
REM sleep: A stage in the sleep cycle during which dreams occur and the body undergoes marked changes including rapid eye movement, loss of reflexes, and increased pulse rate and brain activity.
Substantia nigra: the layer of gray substance separating the tegmentum of the midbrain from the crus cerebri, which has a natural black colour. Two part of the substantia nigra include the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) , and the substantia nigra pars reticulate (SNr)
Subthalamic nucleus (STN): an oval mass of grey matter located in the caudal part of the subthalamus.
Urinary incontinence: inability to control the flow of urine and involuntary urination