cognition
the mental activities associated with thinking, learning, and memory
amnesia
a disturbance in the memory, marked by total or partial inability to recall past experiences
cranial hematoma
a collection of blood trapped in the tissues of the brain
concussion
violent shaking up or jarring of the brain
aphasia
loss of ability to speak, write, or comprehend the written or spoken word
narcolepsy
a syndrome characterized by recurrent uncontrollable episodes of drowsiness and sleep
hyperesthesia
the condition of excessive sensitivity to stimuli
epilepsy
the group of neurologic disorders characterized by recurrent episodes of seizures
dyslexia
also known as a developmental reading disorder; learning disability characterized by substandard reading achievement due to the inability of the brain to process symbols
anesthesiologist
a physician who specializes in administering anesthesia
antidepressant
prevents or relieves depression
antipsychotic
treats symptoms of severe psychiatric disorders
hypnotic
type of drug that depresses the central nervous system and usually produces sleep
sedative
produces calm without producing sleep
anxiolytic drug
suppresses anxiety and relaxes muscles
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
also known as Lou Gehrig's disease
spinal
type of anesthesia injected into the subarachnoid space
glial cells
substance or structure that provides support and protection for neurons
dysthymia
a low-grade chronic depression
paresthesia
burning or prickling sensation in the hands, arms, legs, or feet
post-traumatic stress disorder
the development of characteristic symptoms after a major traumatic event
delirium tremens
a disorder involving sudden and severe mental changes or seizures
ischemic stroke
damage to the brain that occurs when the flow of blood is blocked by narrowing of the carotid artery
panic attack
intense emotional feelings that include apprehension, fearfulness, and terror
autism
inability to develop normal social relationships; a group of conditions characterized by significant developmental delays, minimal verbal skills, and social challenges
factitious disorder
an individual acts as if he/she has a physical or mental illness when he/she really does not
dementia
slow, progressive decline in mental abilities
hypochondriasis
characterized by fearing that one has a serious illness despite appropriate medical evaluation and reassurance
delirium
an acute condition of confusion, disorientation, disordered thinking and memory, agitation, and hallucination
acrophobia
excessive fear of high places
hemorrhagic stroke
the result of a blood vessel in the brain that leaks or ruptures; type of stroke that is also known as a bleed
Parkinson's disease
condition characterized by fine muscle tremors, a mask-like facial expression, and a shuffling gait
dura mater
thick, tough outer layer surrounding the brain
electroencephalography
diagnostic tool used for the process of recording brain-wave activity
schizophrenia
a psychotic disorder usually characterized by withdrawal from reality
hydrocephalus
abnormally increased amount of cerebrospinal fluid within the brain
cerebral contusion
bruising of brain tissue
myelitis
inflammation of the spinal cord
migraine headaches
pain in the head that is accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light or sound
syncope
also known as fainting
Alzheimer's disease
a group of disorders that are marked by progressive deterioration affecting both the memory and reasoning capabilities of an individual
trigeminal neuralgia
condition characterized by sudden, intense, brief attacks of sharp pain that only affect only one side of the face
cervical radiculopathy
nerve pain caused by pressure on the spinal nerve roots in the neck region
peripheral neuropathy
disorder of the nerves that carry information to and from the brain and spinal cord
multiple sclerosis
an autoimmune disorder
carotid ultrasonography
a diagnostic procedure performed to detect plaque buildup in the artery to predict or diagnose an ischemic stroke
anesthetic
medication administered to block sensitivity to pain
encephalitis
inflammation of the brain
Guillan-Barre syndrome
inflammation of the myelin sheath of peripheral nerves
sciatica
inflammation of the sciatic nerve causing pain through the thigh and leg
causalgia
intense burning pain after an injury to a sensory nerve
hallucination
a sense perception that has no basis in external stimulation
central nervous system
division of the nervous system which consists of the brain and spinal cord
cerebrum
portion of the brain responsible for the highest level of thought
poliomyelitis
a viral infection of the gray matter of the spinal cord that may result in paralysis
afferent
type of neuron that carries impulses toward the brain and the spinal cord
stupor
an unresponsive state from which a person can be aroused only briefly and with vigorous, repeated attempts
peripheral nervous system
consists of cranial nerves
neurorrhaphy
to suture the ends of a severed nerve
echoencephalography
the use of ultrasound imaging to create a detailed visual image of the brain for diagnostic purposes
myelography
a radiographic study of the spinal cord after the injection of a contrast medium through a lumbar puncture
neurotransmitters
chemical substances that make it possible for messages to cross from the synapse of a neuron to the target receptors
meningitis
inflammation of the meninges of the brain and spinal cord
lethargy
a lowered level of consciousness marked by listlessness, drowsiness, and apathy
delusion
a false personal belief
claustrophobia
fear of being in small or enclosed spaces
narcolespy
recurring episodes of falling asleep during the day
coma
deep state of unconsciousness