Brain Injury Terms and Definitions

Spina bifida
Is a condition that often has disabling consequences. With severe spina bifida, a person’s legs and feet are paralyzed, and there are problems with bowel and bladder control. Learning disabilities are common, and mental retardation sometimes occurs

amygdala
uh-MIG-duh-luh). A part of the brain that oversees emotions and triggers your response to danger.

endorphins
Naturally occurring molecules made up of amino acids. Endorphins attach to special receptors in the brain and spinal cord to inhibit pain signals.

NBDPS
National Birth Defects Prevention Study

Eye Birth Defect
Anophthalmia/microphthalmia, congenital cataracts, glaucoma

SADDAN
SADDAN (severe achondroplasia with developmental delay and acanthosis nigricans) is a rare inherited disorder of bone growth characterized by skeletal, brain, and skin abnormalities.

Parkinson's disease
A progressive degeneration of nerve cells in the part of the brain that helps control muscle movement.

brain tumor
An abnormal growth of tissue in the brain

Beare-Stevenson cutis gyrata syndrome
Beare-Stevenson cutis gyrata syndrome is a genetic disorder characterized by skin abnormalities and the premature fusion of certain bones of the skull craniosynostosis), which prevents further growth of the skull and affects the shape of the head and face.

Alzheimer's disease
Severe form of dementia caused by significant deterioration of brain tissue.