Author: Glossary

The fear of cats.  

A group of symptoms that appear to represent premonitory signs of full-blown acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), such as generalized lymphadenopathy (disease involving the lymph nodes), night sweats, persistent fevers, persistent cough, infection of the throat, and prolonged diarrhea. Rarely used today, referring to a variety of chronic symptoms that occur in persons who are infected with…

The loss of a previously possessed facility for writing. Loss of ability to convert thought into writing. The condition of being unable to put ideas into writing. Agraphia is the loss or impairment of the ability to produce written language and is the result of acquired central nervous system dysfunction. The term agraphia is often…

The inability to identify a number written on the palm of one’s hand. It is seen in corticobasal ganglionic degeneration, a “parkinson’s plus” syndrome. In ability to recognize letters or numbers drawn by the examiner on skin.  

A neuropeptide produced in the brain (in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus) by the AgRP/neuropeptide Y (NPY) neuron that increases appetite and decreases metabolism and energy expenditure. It is one of the most potent and long-lasting of appetite stimulators. An understanding of the role AgRP plays in weight gain may assist in developing pharmaceutical…

The inability to recognize or identify objects despite intact sensory function. It may be seen in dementia. Inability to understand the impact or significance of sensory stimuli. Loss of ability to understand or interpret auditory, visual, or other forms of sensory information even though the respective sensory organs are functioning properly. Loss of comprehension of…

Excessive motor activity, usually non-purposeful and associated with internal tension. Examples: in- ability include inability to sit still, fidgeting, pacing, wringing of hands, and pulling of clothes. In psychology, marked restlessness and psychomotor excitement. A state of being very nervous and anxious. Excessive restlessness, increased mental and physical activity, especially the latter. Amidst the intricate…

A severe major depressive disorder in which psychomotor agitation is prominent. A severe major depressive disorder in which psychomotor agitation is prominent; formerly known as involutional melancholia. A severe major depressive disorder in which psychomotor agitation is prominent. In persons of climacteric age, it was formerly known as involutional melancholia.  

Characteristic pattern of life changes that occur normally in humans, plants, and animals as they grow older. Some age changes begin at birth and continue until death; other changes begin at maturity and end at death. The process, affecting organisms and most cells, whereby each cell division (mitosis) brings that cell (or organism composed of…