Glossary

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I

Iatrogenic:

A disease or disorder that is induced inadvertently by a physician or surgeon or by medical treatment or diagnostic procedures.

Idiopathic:

(1) Refers to a disease of unknown cause that appears to be spontaneous in origin. The usual form of Parkinson's is idiopathic Parkinson's. (2) A disorder or condition of spontaneous origin; self-originated or of unknown cause. The term is derived from the prefix "idio-" meaning one's own and "pathos" indicating disease.

Idiopathic epilepsy:

Recurrent seizures of unknown origin or cause; repeated episodes of uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain that occur in the absence of detectable brain lesions. Also known as essential or primary epilepsy, these conditions are often thought to have a genetic component. This may suggest that affected individuals have an inherited predisposition for recurrent seizures.

IGF-1:

Literally, insulin-like growth factor 1, a crucial blood protein produced in the liver in response to stimulation by growth hormone. IGF-1 provides the best indicator of growth hormone levels and optimal levels are linked to healthy bone, heart, thyroid, skin, and nervous system.

Illusions:

Illusions occur when a person sees something that is real but misinterprets what it is.

Immune Globulins:

A group of proteins found 1n blood. Immune globlins (or immunoglobulins) fight off infections by attaching to and killing bacteria and viruses. The best known is gamma globulin.

Immunofluorescence:

This technique uses antibodies linked to a light-emitting or fluorescent dye in order to study foreign substances in a tissue sample.

Immunogenicity:

The ability to or the degree to which a particular substance may provoke an immune response; having the properties of an antigen or any substance that may trigger a particular immune reaction, such as the production of antibodies.

Immunomodulatory:

A substance that has an influence on the immune system.

Immunomodulating drugs:

Drugs that act on the body’s immune system to interfere with a disease process. They are also referred to as immunomodulatory drugs and immunomodulators.

Implantable Pulse Generator (IPG):

A device that is placed under the skin near the collarbone as part of a surgical procedure known as deep brain stimulation. Wire leads from electrodes implanted in the brain are connected to the pulse generator, which then delivers continuous high frequency electrical stimulation to the thalamus via the implanted electrodes. This form of stimulation probably "jams" the nucleus and therefore modifies the message in the movement control centers of the brain, serving to suppress tremor.

Impulse Control Disorders:

A group of social problems that present symptoms associated with Parkinson's and sibling diseases. They are typically diagnosed using a modified Massachusetts Gambling Screen for problem or pathologic gambling, a modified Minnesota Impulsive Disorders Interview for compulsive sexual behavior and buying, and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, research criteria for binge-eating disorder.

Incontinence:

Involuntary voiding of the bladder or bowel.

Inflammation:

(1) The body’s first response to injury or irritation. The classic signs of inflammation are pain, heat, redness, swelling, and loss of function. (2) Inflammation is a defense reaction against diverse insults, designed to remove noxious agents and to inhibit their detrimental effects. It consists of a dazzling array of molecular and cellular mechanisms and an intricate network of controls to keep them in check. In neurodegenerative diseases, inflammation may be triggered by the accumulation of proteins with abnormal conformations or by signals emanating from injured neurons. Given the multiple functions of many inflammatory factors, it has been difficult to pinpoint their roles in specific (patho)physiological situations. Studies of genetically modified mice and of molecular pathways in activated glia are beginning to shed light on this issue. Altered expression of different inflammatory factors can either promote or counteract neurodegenerative processes. Since many inflammatory responses are beneficial, directing and instructing the inflammatory machinery may be a better therapeutic objective than suppressing it.

Inhibition:

The restraint, suppression, or arrest of a process or the action of a particular cell or organ; the prevention or slowing of the rate of a chemical or an organic reaction. The term "reciprocal inhibition" refers to the restraint or "checking" of one group of muscles upon stimulation (excitation) and contraction of their opposing (antagonist) muscles.

Inhibitor:

A substance that blocks, restricts, or interferes with a particular chemical reaction or other biologic activity.

Innate immunity:

Is the first line of defense against a pathogen. Skin, tears, mucus, and macrophages are the major players in innate immunity.

Innervate:

To supply a body part, tissue, or organ with nerves or nervous stimulation.

Inositol:

An essential nutrient made from glucose that forms part of phosphatidylinositol, one of the phospholipids in the cell membrane. Inositol is widely available in foods and can be made in the human body when needed.

Insidious:

Of subtle, gradual, or imperceptible development; referring to the development of symptoms that may not be recognized by an affected individual until the disorder in question is established.

Insulin:

A hormone secreted by pancreatic cells in response to increasing levels of glucose and/or amino acids in the bloodstream. Insulin enables the body to transport and store these important "fuel molecules" for energy production. Imbalances of insulin are common in diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders, and obesity.

Insulinemia:

Refers to the status of insulin levels within the blood; often used to indicate elevated levels of insulin.

Intention Tremor:

One occurring when the person's attempts voluntary movement.

Interferon:

A small protein produced by white blood cells to fight some forms of cancer and infections, especially viral infections.

Interleukin:

Similar to interferon; a small protein produced by white blood cells to fight infections and some forms of cancer. There are many types of interleukins, numbered 1, 2, 3 . . up to 10 or more. Some interleukins have beneficial effects, others are harmful.

Intestine:

The intestine is sometimes called the bowel or the gut. It is the part of the digestive system that extends from the stomach to the rectum. It is made up of the small and large intestines and serves to absorb water and nutrients from the food and liquids that we drink and eat. The small intestine extends from the stomach to the large intestine and is made up of three segments: the duodenum, the jejunum, and the ileum.

Intracranial Pressure (ICP):

The pressure inside the skull.

Intramuscular injection:

Injection of a drug directly into a muscle.

Intravenous:

Within a vein or veins, as in introducing certain substances, such as fluids, nutrients, or medications, directly into a vein.

In Vitro:

A Latin term, meaning a study performed 1n a laboratory and not invoking animals or humans.

In Vivo:

A Latin term, meaning a study performed on animals or humans.

Ion:

An electrically charged atom or group of atoms due to the loss or gain of one or more electrons. Positively charged ions, known as cations, include potassium, calcium, sodium, hydrogen, ammonium, and magnesium. Negatively charged ions, called anions, include chloride, phosphate, and bicarbonate. The transfer of ions across cellular membranes plays an essential role in vital bodily processes, including enzyme activation, protein metabolism, acid-base balance, nerve impulse transmission, and muscle contraction.

ischemia:

Ischemia occurs when the flow of oxygen-rich blood to tissue in the body is reduced or stopped.

Ischemic stroke:

A stroke that results from blockage in an artery supplying the brain.

Isoleucine:

An essential amino acid.

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Document last modified: 04/22/09 12:19:33 PM