Glossary

Baclofen:

A mainstay of antispastic drug therapy, baclofen is a GABA agonist that stimulates the GABAB autoreceptor. When stimulated, this autoreceptor inhibits muscle activity. In experimental systems, baclofen inhibits the release of noradrenaline, and acetylcholine from peripheral nerve endings, and acetylcholine, noradrenaline, dopamine, serotonin, and glutamate from CNS neurons.

Ballismus:

An abnormal neuromuscular condition that is generally considered a severe form of chorea. Involvement of the upper muscles of the arms and legs results in uncontrolled, violent, flinging or throwing actions. These swinging or jerky movements may be sporadic or continuous and, in some patients, restricted to one side of the body (hemiballismus). Ballismus often occurs in association with other abnormal involuntary movements, including athetosis, chorea, and dystonia.

Basal ganglia or nuclei:

(1) Deeper structures in the brain, concerned with normal movement and walking. The caudate nucleus, putamen and Substantia Nigra are basal ganglia affected in Parkinson's. (2) Specialized nerve cell clusters of gray matter deep within each cerebral hemisphere and the upper brainstem, including the striate body (caudate and lentiform nuclei) and other cells groups such as the subthalamic nucleus and substantia nigra. The basal ganglia assists in initiating and regulating movement.

B cells:

Cells that produce antibodies to attack foreign substances in the body.

Bell's palsy:

An unexplained episode of facial muscle weakness or paralysis that begins suddenly and steadily worsens.

Benign essential tremor:

A condition characterised by tremor of the hands, head, voice, and sometimes other parts of the body. Essential tremor often runs in families and is sometimes called familial tremor. It is sometimes mistaken for a symptom of Parkinson's. However, this is an action tremor and there is no rigidity or bradykinesia.

Benign myoclonus of infancy:

A neurologic condition that typically becomes apparent by approximately 4 months of age. Affected infants and children experience relatively short, mild episodes of myoclonus, or sudden, involuntary, "shock-like" spasms of muscles, particularly of the head, neck, trunk, and arms. Development is typically normal, and myoclonus usually ceases by age 2 or 3.

Benzodiazepines:

(1) A class of medicines such as Valium, Dalmane, and Xanax, that act on GABA receptors to induce relaxation and sleep. Too much, used too often, can lead to memory loss. There are also receptors in the brain for benzodiazepines. (2) A class of medications that act upon the central nervous system to reduce communication between certain neurons, lowering the level of activity in the brain. Benzodiazepines are effective in reducing anxiety, stress, or agitation; promoting sleep; alleviating restlessness; and relaxing muscles.

Beta-adrenergic receptor:

A specialized molecular structure on the surface membrane of a neuron that selectively receives the neurotransmitter norepinephrine. Reception of this neurotransmitter causes changes in the neuron that increase its likelihood of "firing" or sending its own signal to other neurons. The activities of norepinephrine affect that part of the nervous system involved in the control of some involuntary body functions, such as blood pressure regulation, etc. (sympathetic nervous system).

Beta-bockers (§-Blockers):

Drugs which block the action of epinephrine at certain sites. Usually used to treat hypertension and heart disease, they may be effective in the treatment of benign essential tremor.

Bilateral:

(1)Occurring on both sides of the body. (2)Having or affecting two sides.

Biosynthesize:

To form or produce (during normal physiologic functions) a chemical compound in the body.

Biphasic:

Having two distinct stages or phases.

Black holes:

Areas of irreversibly damaged tissue in the brain of patients with multiple sclerosis.

Bladder training:

A treatment for people who affected by an urgent need to pass small amounts of urine more frequently than normal, and who at times may also have incontinence (urine leakage) associated with urgency.

Blepharospasm:

Spasmodic blinking or involuntary closing of the eye lids; a type of dystonia.

Blink rate:

The number of times per minute that the eyelid automatically closes - normally 10 to 30 per minute.

Blood-brain barrier:

The protective membrane filtering system that prevents some of the substances in the regular blood circulatory system (such as toxins) from causing harm to the braln. Sadly the barrier also prevents most medications in the bloodstream from entering the brain and treating the infections and/or inflammation found there.

Body mass index:

The body mass index is a measure of body fat that is based on a person’s height and weight.

Binding antibodies:

Molecules (antibodies) that attach to a foreign substance (antigen) in an effort to neutralize the effect of the antigen.

Bone resorption:

The wearing away of bone tissue, which can eventually lead to osteoporosis, spinal deformities ("dowager's hump"), and fractures.

Botulinum toxin (BTX):

Any of a group of toxins, designated as A through G, produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria. Localized injection of minute amounts of commercially prepared BTX may help to relax an overactive muscle by blocking the release of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter responsible for the activation of muscle contractions. BTX-A is currently the only form (i.e., serotype) of botulinum toxin approved for clinical use. (BTX-A [BOTOX®] is produced by Allergan, Inc. and used in the United States and many other countries. Outside the U.S., it is available as Dysport® from Ipsen, Ltd.) It was originally introduced in the 1970s for the treatment of misalignment of the eyes (strabismus) and involuntary contraction of eyelid muscles (blepharospasm) associated with dystonia or facial nerve disorders. BTX-A is now increasingly being used as a therapeutic option for selected patients with other disorders characterized by severely increased muscle activity (hyperactivity), such as tremor, other focal dystonias, and spasticity. BTX-B is currently under investigation (by Athena Neurosciences, Inc.) for patients with cervical dystonia.

Bradykinesia:

(1) Slowing down of a movement. Bradykinesia involves slowness of initiating and executing movements and fine motor movements and difficulty in performing repetitive movements. It is a major symptom of Parkinson's. (2) The gradual loss of spontaneous movement; slowness of voluntary movements.

Brain attack: (Also called stroke.):

Happens when brain cells die because of inadequate blood flow to the brain.

Brainstem:

The region of the brain consisting of the medulla oblongata, pons, and midbrain. The brainstem primarily contains white matter interspersed with some gray matter. This area of the brain serves as a two-way conduction path, conveying nerve impulses between other brain regions and the spinal cord. In addition, most of the 12 pairs of cranial nerves from the brain arise from the brainstem, regulating breathing, digestion, heartbeat, blood pressure, pupil size, swallowing, and other basic functions.

Branched-chain amino acids:

The essential amino acids, isoleucine, leucine, and valine.

Bruxism:

Involuntary grinding, clenching, or gnashing of the teeth, particularly during sleep or times of stress. Without appropriate protection, such as the use of night guards that cover the teeth, severe dental problems may result. Bruxism may also be a feature of certain neurologic movement disorders, including dystonia of the jaw, mouth, and lower face (oromandibular dystonia [OMD]), Rett syndrome, or tardive dyskinesia.

Burke-Fahn-Marsden dystonia rating scale (BFMDRS):

The BFMDRS is a weighted scale that measures the severity and provoking factors for dystonia in 9 body areas, including the eyes, mouth, speech or swallowing, neck, right and left arms, trunk, and right and left legs.

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