Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.
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Amaurotic familial idiocy
An outdated term for Tay-Sachs disease (TSD) which is concisely defined by OMIM (Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man) as “an autosomal recessive, progressive neurodegenerative disorder, which in the classic infantile form, is usually fatal by age 2 or 3 years, results from deficiency of the enzyme hexosaminidase A. ” “Autosomal” points to the gene for…
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Amaurosis fugax
Amaurosis fugax: A symptom described as a shade coming down over the eye. A partial or complete loss of sight that is temporary. This temporary interference with vision is usually related to atherosclerosis in the blood vessels that supply the brain. It can also occur with excessive acceleration, as in flight. Amaurosis is the Greek word for darkening,…
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Amathophobia
An abnormal and persistent fear of dust. Sufferers experience anxiety even though they realize dust poses no threat. From the Greek “amathos” (sand) and “phobos” (fear).
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Amastia
A rare condition wherein the normal growth of the breast or nipple does not occur. Unilateral amastia (just on one side) is often associated with absence of the pectoral muscles. Bilateral amastia (with absence of both breasts) is associated in 40% of cases with multiple congenital anomalies (birth defects) involving other parts of the body as well.…
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Amalgam
In dentistry, an alloy of mercury, silver, tin, etc. used in dental restorations.
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AMA
The American Medical Association.
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Am
Symbol for americium.
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Alzheimers disease
A progressive degenerative disease of the brain that leads to dementia. On a cellular level, Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by the finding of unusual helical protein filaments in nerve cells of the brain. These twisted filaments are called neurofibrillary tangles. In the brain, Alzheimer’s disease involves degeneration of the cortical regions, especially the frontal and temporal lobes. There…
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Alzheimer disease, early-onset familial
Alzheimer disease that runs in families and strikes at an unusually early age (with its onset under the age of 60). About 7% of early-onset cases of Alzheimer’s are familial and are inherited in an autosomal dominant manner with high penetrance. Mutations in three different genes — the amyloid precursor protein (APP) gene and the presenilin 1 and 2…
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Alzheimer disease
A progressive degenerative disease of the brain that leads to dementia. On a cellular level, Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by the finding of unusual helical protein filaments in nerve cells of the brain. These twisted filaments are called neurofibrillary tangles. In the brain, Alzheimer’s disease involves degeneration of the cortical regions, especially the frontal and temporal lobes. There…
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