Author: Glossary

A subgroup of conventional antipsychotic medications that includes the discontinued drug molindone.  

A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique that produces in vivo magnetic resonance images of biological tissues weighted with the local characteristics of water diffusion. Areas of cerebral infarction have decreased apparent diffusion, which results in increased signal intensity on DWI scans. DWI has been demonstrated to be more sensitive for the early detection of STROKE…

A magnetic resonance imagine (MRI) technique that enables measurement of the restricted diffusion of water in tissue in order to produce neural tract images instead of using these data solely for the purpose of assigning contrast or colors to pixels in a cross-sectional image. DTI is mainly used in imaging of the white matter of…

One of the most common and devastating types of traumatic brain injury (TBI), where damage occurs over a more widespread area than in focal brain injury. Diffuse axonal injury, which refers to extensive lesions in white matter tracts, is one of the major causes of unconsciousness and persistent vegetative state after head trauma. It occurs…

The part of the forebrain that contains such important structures as the thalamus, hypothalamus, and posterior portion of the pituitary gland. The posterior part of the prosencephalon. The central part of the forebrain, formed of the thalamus, hypothalamus, pineal gland and third ventricle. Brain structure containing the thalamus and hypothalamus. An anatomical division of the…

A subgroup of conventional antipsychotic medications that includes loxapine.  

A form of psychotherapy that teaches behavioral and cognitive coping skills, developed specifically for patients with borderline personality disorder. A form of psychological counseling in which patients are directed to change dysfunctional behavior patterns within a context of acceptance and compassion. It is used principally to manage personality disorders. A mindfulness-based psychological intervention program designed…

The American psychiatric association’s official classification of mental disorders. The DSM is an evolving text that is periodically revised to reflect the most recent knowledge regarding mental disorders. DSM-I The first edition, published in 1952. DSM-II The second edition, published in 1968. DSM-III The third edition, published in 1980. DSM-III-R The revised DSM-III, published in…

Medical-based classification, representing 23 major diagnostic categories, that aggregates patients into case types based on diagnosis. A DRG is a subset of a major diagnostic category. A hospital patient classification system developed under federal grants at Yale University. The current payment system for Medicare is based on the federal government’s setting a predetermined price for…