Glossary of ALS-Related Medical and Scientific Terms

(Presented by The ALS Association Greater New York Chapter)

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

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Select a letter from the list above.

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CD14 A cell marker on bone marrow derived cells

central nervous system (CNS) The brain and spinal cord combined.

cerebellum The portion of the brain in the back of the head between the cerebrum and the brain stem. It is responsible for the coordination of movement and balance.

cerebral embolism A situation in which a wandering clot (embolus) or some other particle lodges in a blood vessel in the brain.

cerebral hemorrhage A type of stroke occurs when a defective artery in the brain bursts, flooding the surrounding tissue with blood.

cerebral thrombosis The most common type of brain attack, it occurs when a blood clot (thrombus) forms and blocks blood flow in an artery bringing blood to part of the brain.

cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) A watery fluid, continuously produced and absorbed, which flows in the cavities within the brain and around the surface of the brain and spinal cord.

cerebro-spinal fluid analysis (spinal tap) A procedure used to isolate cerebrospinal fluid for evaluation or diagnosis of disease.

cerebrum The two largest, most complex and most developed lobes of the brain. Initiation and coordination of all voluntary movement take place within the cerebrum. The basal ganglia are located within the cerebrum.

chorea Rapid, jerky, dance-like movement of the body.

chromosome A visible carrier of the genetic information.

chronic Marked by long duration or frequent recurrence.

classical ALS A progressive neurological disease characterized by a deterioration of upper and lower motor nerve cells (neurons). This type of ALS affects more than two-thirds of all people with ALS.

clodronate A drug used to deplete macrophages.

CNTF (eiliary neurotrophic factor) A type of growth factor

computed tomography (CT or CAT scan) A non-invasive X-ray procedure that takes cross-sectional images of the brain or other internal organs. It detects abnormalities that may not show up on an ordinary x-ray.

cord blood Blood taken from the umbilical cord at the time of birth. It is rich in a variety of stem cells. For further information see http://www.alsa.org/research/article.cfm?id=1147.

cortex The outer layer of the cerebrum, densely packed with nerve cells.

corticospinal tract The bundle of nerves that reach from the motor area of the brain (see cortex) to the spinal cord, connecting to the nerves that go out to control the muscles.

CREB A gene involved in learning and memory. It appears to be the master switch that activates a number of growth factors and potentially some anti-apoptotic genes. Recent studies suggest CREB is neuroprotective.

cryothalamotomy A surgical procedure in which a supercooled probe is inserted into a part of the brain called the thalamus in order to stop tremors.

CSF See cerebrospinal fluid.

CTLA4 cell marker on the surface of some immune cells.

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