basal ganglia
Several large clusters of nerve cells, including the striatum and the substantia nigra, deep in the brain below the cerebral hemispheres.
BDNF
Type of growth factor
Bell's palsy
An unexplained episode of facial muscle weakness or paralysis that begins suddenly and steadily worsens.
bioassay
Determination of the potency or concentration of a compound by its effect upon animals, isolated tissues, or microorganisms, as compared with an analysis of its chemical or physical properties.
biochemistry
The chemistry of biology; the application of the tools and concepts of chemistry to living systems. Biochemists study the structures and physical properties of biological molecules.
bioinformatics
The process of developing tools and processes to quantify and collect data to study biological systems logically.
blink rate
The number of times per minute that the eyelid automatically closes -- normally 10 to 30 per minute.
blood-brain barrier (BBB)
A protective barrier formed by the blood vessels and glia of the brain. It prevents some substances in the blood from entering brain tissue.
bradykinesia
Slowness of movement.
bradyphrenia
Slowness of thought processes.
brain attack
Another term for stroke.
brisk reflex
A condition that describes the deterioration of the upper motor nerve cells (neurons).
bulbar
Bulbar ALS is the type in which onset symptoms are in the facial muscles, speech and swallowing.
bulbar muscles
The muscles that control the speech, chewing and swallowing.
