About the Glossaries

One of the most exciting parts of this book is the series of glossaries at the back of the book, aimed at increasing understanding of concepts.

The following Table of Contents sheds light on the breadth of the Glossary:

Brain: Anatomy and Simplified Functions	344
Analogies: Boat-Pier and Bathtub	345
Neuropsychiatric Drugs	346
Generic to Brand Drugs	348
Brand to Generic Name Drugs	349
Neurotransmitter Effects	350
Medical Abbreviations	351
Medical Terms	352
Index of Concepts	358
Endnotes	364

For example, the following is the first page of the index:

Glossary
Medical Terms

This glossary of one line definitions of medical terms is for quick reference to terms used in the context of this book. Consequently, wherever possible the definitions correspond with the short phrases associated with the em dash sign (--) that appear in the book.

The definitions are deliberately simplified for easier comprehension.

absence seizures: blackouts with transient loss of consciousness due to seizures
accessory symptoms: extra symptoms in a condition requiring separate treatment
acetylcholine: neurotransmitter with memory and automatic movements roles
adenosine receptor: receptor relating to caffeine and many chemical reactions
adjunctive medication: unapproved second drug used for a condition
adrenoreceptor: adrenergic receptor; norepinephrine
affect: emotion
agitated depression: internal restlessness, marked anxiety type depression
agonism: receptor activation by stimulation or inhibition
akathisia: unpleasant subjective sensation of inability to keep still
akinesia: loss of accessory muscle use, like non-swinging arms
alpha: EEG waves of 8-13 Hz; a variation of adrenergic receptor
altered state of consciousness: modified alertness and responsiveness level
Alzheimer's disease: dementia associated with specific pathologic changes
ambulatory EEG: lengthy special computerized EEG performed at home
anatomy: the localization in the body
anhedonic: unable to experience pleasure
anoxia: too little oxygen
antagonism: preventing of action of a receptor using antagonist chemicals
anterior: front
anticholinergic: drug acting against acetylcholine
anticonvulsant: medication to prevent seizures; anti-epileptic drug
antihistamine: histamine blocking agent
anxiogenic: anxiety inducing agent
artifact: noise; EEG distortions outside the brain, usually the muscles
atypical: spells strange behavior events in PND due to firing episodes
auditory hallucinations: hearing non-existent voices
aura, aurae: warning symptoms preceding or heralding a seizure
autism: withdrawal into one's own reality
axon: outgoing pipe of the neuron
beta: EEG waves of =13 Hz; a variation of adrenergic receptor
bioavailability: extent of availability of drugs in the body
biopsychofamiliosociocultural: biological, psychological, family, social & cultural
bipolar disorder: affective illness, bipolar mood disorder, manic depressive illness
blackouts: absence seizures due to petit mal or temporal lobe epilepsy
blockade: receptor antagonism
blunting of affect: a diminution in range of emotion

(continues...)

When you download a copy of this book, you will receive a separate (PDF) file which contains just the glossary. This way you will be able to put up on the screen the two files side by side and use the glossary directly if there are any questions. [order download]

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About the Glossaries

GlossaryMedical Terms

Glossary
Medical Terms