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Vocabulary / Chapter 10

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Question
Answer
acetylcholine   Neurotransmitter chemical released at the ends (synapses) of nerve cells.  
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afferent nerves   Carry messages toward the brain and spinal cord (sensory nerves).  
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arachnoid membrane   Middle layer of the three membranes (meninges) that surround the brain and spinal cord. The Greek arachne means spider.  
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astrocyte   A type of glial (neurologic) cell that transports water and salts from capillaries.  
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automonic nervous system   Nerves that control involuntary body functions of muscles, glands, and internal organs.  
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axon   Microscopic fiber that carries the nervous impulse along a nerve cell.  
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blood-brain barrier   Blood vessels (capillaries) that selectively let certain substances enter the brain tissue and keep other substances out.  
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brainstem   Lower portion of the brain that connects the cerebrum with the spinal cord. The pons and medulla oblongata are part of the brainstem.  
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cauda equina   Collection of spinal nerves below the end of the spinal cord.  
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cell body   Part of a nerve cell that contains the nucleus.  
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central nervous system (CNS)   Brain and the spinal cord.  
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cerebellum   Posterior part of the brain that coordinates muscle movements and maintain balance.  
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cerebral cortex   Outer region of the cerebrum; containing sheets of nerve cells; gray matter of the brain.  
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cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)   Fluid that circulates throughout the brain and spinal cord.  
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cerebrum   Largest part of the brain; responsibles for voluntary muscular activity, vision, speech, taste, hearing, thought, and memory.  
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cerebral cortex   Outer region of the cerebrum; containing sheets of nerve cells; gray matter of the brain.  
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cranial nerves   Twelve pairs of nerves that carry messages to and from the brain.  
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dendrite   Microscopic branching fiber of a nerve cell that is the first part to receive the nervous impulse.  
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dura mater   Thick, outermost layer of the meninges surrounding and protecting the brain and spinal cord (latin for hard mother).  
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efferent nerves   Carry messages away from the brain and spinal cord; motor nerves.  
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ependymal cell   a glial cell that lines membranes within the brain and spinal cord and helps form cerebrospinal fluid.  
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glanglion (plural: ganglia)   Collection of nerve cell bodies in the peripheral nervous system.  
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glial cell (neuroglial cell)   Cell in the nervous system that is supportive and connection in function. Examples are astrocytes, microglial cells, ependymal cells, and oligodentrocytes.  
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gyrus (plural: gyri)   Sheet of nerve cells that produces a rounded fold on the surface of the cerebellum; convulution.  
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hypothalamus   Portion of the brain beneath the thalamus; controls sleep, appetite, body temperature, and secretions from the pituitary gland.  
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medulla oblongata   Part of the brain just above the spinal cord; controls breathing, heartbeat, and the size of blood vessels; nerve fibers cross over here.  
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meninges   Three protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord.  
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microglial cell   Phogocytic glial cell that removes wates products from the central nervous system.  
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motor nerves   Carry messages away from the brain and spinal cord to muscles and organs; efferent (ef [a from of ex] = away) nerves.  
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myelin sheath   While fatty tissue that surrounds, and insulates the axon of a nerve cell. Myelin speeds impulse conduction along axons.  
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nerve   Macroscopic cordlike collection of fibers (axons and dentrites) that carry electrical impulses.  
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neurotransmitter   Chemical messenger, released of the end of a nerve cell, which can be a nerve cell, muscle cell, or gland cell. Examples of neurotransmitters are acetylcholine, norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin.  
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oligodendroglial cell   Glial cell that forms the myelin sheath covering axons. Also called oligodendrocyte.  
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parasymphathetic nerves   Involuntary, autonomic nerves that regulate normal body functions such as heart rate, breathing, and muscles of the gastrointestinal tract.  
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parenchyma   Essential, distinguishing tissue of the nervous system; includes the brain and spinal cord. This is to distinguish it from surrounding tissues, such as the meninges.  
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peripheral nervous system   Nerves outside the brain and spinal cord; cranial, spinal, and autonomic nerves.  
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pia mater   Thin, delicate inner membrane of the meninges.  
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plexus (plural: plexuses)   Large, interlacing network of nerves. Examples are lumbosacral, cervical, and brachial (brachi/o means arm) plexuses. The term originated from the Indo-European plek meaning to weave together.  
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pons   Part of the brain anterior to the cerebellum and between the medulla and the rest of the midbrain (Latin pons means bridge). It is a bridge connecting various parts of the brain.  
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receptor   Organ that receives a nervous stimulation and passes it on to nerves within the body. The skin, ears, eyes, and taste buds are receptors.  
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sciatic nerve   Nerve extending from the base of the spine down the thigh, lower leg, and foot. Sciatica is pain or finlammation along the course of the nerve.  
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sensory nerves   Carry messages to the brain and spinal cord from a receptor; afferent (af[a form of ad] = toward) nerve.  
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spinal nerves   Thirty-one pairs of nerves arising from the spinal cord. Each spinal nerve affects a particular area of the skin.  
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stimulus (plural: stimuli)   Agent of change (light, sound, touch) in the internal or external environment that evokes a response.  
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stroma   Connective and supporting tissue of an organ. Glial cells are the stromal tissue of the brain.  
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sulcus (plural: sulci)   Depression or groove in the surface of the cerebral cortex; fissure.  
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sympathetic nerves   Autonomic nerves that influence bodily functions involuntarily in times of stress.  
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synapse   Space through which a nervous impulse is transmitted from one neuron to another or from a neuron to another cell, such as a muscle or gland cell. From the Greek synapsis, a point of contact.  
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thalamus   Main relay center of the brain. It conducts impulses between the spinal cord and the cerebrum; incoming sensory messages are relayed through the thalamus to appropriate centers in the cerebrum. Latin thalamus means room.  
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vagus nerve   Tenth craniel nerve; its branches reach to the larynx, trachea, bronchi, lungs, aorta, esophagus, and stomach. Latin vagus meanse wondering.  
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ventricles of the brain   Canals in the brain that contain cerebrospinal fluid.  
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hydrocephalus   Abnormal accumulation of fluid (CSF) in the brain.  
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spina bifida   Congenital defects in the lumbar spinal column caused by imperfect union of vertebral parts (neural tube defect).  
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Alzheimer disease (AD)   Brain disorder marked by gradual and progressive mental deterioration (dementia) with personality changes and impairment of daily functioning.  
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amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)   Degeneratiave disorder of motor neurons in the spinal cord and brainstem.  
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epilepsy   Chronic brain disorder characterized by recurrent seizure activity.  
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Huntington disease   Hereditary disorder marked by degenerative changes in the cerebrum leading to abrupt involuntary movement and mental deterioration.  
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multiple sclerosis (MS)   Autoimmune neuromuscular disorder characterized by weakness (-asthenia) of voluntary muscles (attached to bones).  
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palsy   Paralysis (partial or complete loss of motor function).  
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Parkinson disease   Involuntary, spasmodic, twitching movements; incontrollable vocal sounds; and inappropriate words.  
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Tourette syndrome   Involuntary, spasmodic, twitching movements; uncontrollable vocal sounds; and inappropriate words.  
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herpes zoster (shingles   Viral infection affecting peripheral nerves  
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meningitis   Inflammation of the meninges; leptomeningitis.  
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absence seizure   Minor (petit mal) form of seizure, consisting of momentary clouding of consciousness and loss of awreness of surroundings.  
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aneurysm   Enlarged, weakened area in an arterial wall, which may rupture, leading to hemorrhage and CVA (stroke)  
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astrocytoma   Malignant tumor of astrocytes (glial brain cells).  
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aura   Peculiar sensation experienced by some persons with epilepsy before onset of an actual seizure.  
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blast   Immature cells (as in glioblastoma).  
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dementia   Mental decline and deterioration  
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demyelination   Destruction of myelin on axons of nerves (as in multiple sclerosis).  
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dopamine   CNS neurotransmitter, deficient in patient with Parkinson disease.  
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embolus   A mass (clot) of material travels through the bloodstream and suddenly blocks a vessel.  
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gait   Manner of walking.  
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herpes zoster   Herpes virus that causes shingles-eruption of blisters in a pattern that follows the path of peripheral nerves around the trunk of the body; zoster mean "girdle."  
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ictal event   Pertaining to a sudden, acute onset, as the convulsions of an epileptic seizure.  
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occlusion   Blockage.  
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palliative   Relieving symptoms but not curing.  
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thymectomy   Removal of the thymus gland (a lymphocyte-producing gland in the chest); used as treatment of myasthenia gravis.  
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TIA   Transient inschemic attack.  
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tic   Involuntary movement of a small group of muscles, as of the face; characteristic of Tourette syndrome.  
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tonic-clonic seizure   Major (grand mal) convulsive seizure marked by sudden loss of consciousness, stiffening of muscles, and twitching and jerking movements.  
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AD   Alzheimer disease  
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AFP   alpha-fetoprotein; elevated levels in amniotic fluid and maternal blood are associatd with congenital malformations of the nervous system, such as anencephaly and spina bifida  
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ALS   amyotrophic lateral sclerosis - Lou Gehrig's disease  
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AVM   arteriovenous malformation; congenital tangle of arteries and veins in the cerebrum  
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CNS   central nervous system  
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CSF   cerebrospinal fluid  
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CT   computed tomography  
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CVA   cerebrovascular accident  
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EEG   electroencephalography  
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GABA   gamma-aminobutyric acid (neurotransmitter)  
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ICP   intracranial pressure (normal pressure is 5 to 15 mm Hg)  
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LP   lumbar puncture  
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MAC   monitored anesthetic care  
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MG   myasthenia gravis  
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MRA   magnetic resonance angiography  
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MRI   magnetic resonance imaging  
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MS   multiple sclerosis  
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1/2P   hemiparesis  
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PET   positron emission tomography  
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PSRS   proton steriotactic radiosurgery  
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Sz   seizure  
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TBI   traumatic brain injury  
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TENS   transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation; technique using a battry-powered device to relieve acute and chronic pain  
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TIA   transient ischemic attack; temporary interference with the blood supply to the brain  
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tPA   tissue plasminogen activator; a clot-dissolving drug used as therapy for strokes  
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Parts of the brain   Cerebrum, Thalamus, Hypothalamus, Cerebellum, Pons, Medulla Oblongata  
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Cerebrum   Thinking, Personality, Movements, Sensation, Memory  
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Thalamus   Relay station of sensory impulses; pain  
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Hypothalamus   Body Temperature,Sleep, Appetite, Emotion; control the pituitary gland  
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Pons   Connection of nerves (to control eyes and face  
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Medulla Oblongata   Nerve fiber crossover, left to right and right to left; contains centers to regulate heart, blood vessels, respiratory system  
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lept/o   thin, slender  
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my/o   muscle  
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myel/o   spinal cord (meanse bone marrow in other contexts)  
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radicul/o   nerve root (of spinal nerves)  
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thec/o   sheath (refers to the meninges)  
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vag/o   vagus nerve (10th cranial nerve)  
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caus/o   burning  
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comat/o   deep sleep (coma)  
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lex/o   word, phrase  
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-phasia   speech  
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-praxia   action  
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-sthenia   strength  
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tax/o   order, coordination  
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ictal event   Pertaining to a sudden, acute onset, as the convulsions of an epileptic seizure.  
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palliative   Relieving symptoms but no curing.  
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tonic-clonic seizure   Major (grand mal) convulsive seizure marked by sudden loss of consciousness, stiffening of muscles, and twitching and jerking movements.  
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cerebrospinal fluid analysis   Doctors measure water, glucose, sodium, chloride, and protein, RBC, WBC, dectect tumor cells, bacteria, and viruses. These studies are used to diagnose infection, tumors, or multiple sclerosis.  
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ataxia   Uncoordinated gait  
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transient ischemic attack   interruption of blood supply to the cerebrum; mini-stroke  
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tonic-clonic seizure   Major epileptic seizure; ictal event  
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herpes zoster   virus that causes chickenpox and shingles  
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palliative   relieving but not curing  
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dopamine   relieving, but not curing  
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absence seizure   minor epileptic seizure  
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glioblastoma multiforme   malignant brain tumor of immature glial cells  
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paresthesias   abnormal tingling sensations  
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paresis   slight paralysis  
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radiculitis   inflammation of a spinal nerve root  
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apraxia   movements and behaior that are not purposefull  
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ataxia   lack of muscular coordination  
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paraplegia   paralysis in the lower half of the body  
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neurasthenia   nervous exhausion and fatique  
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synapse   space between nerve cells  
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