Brain Injury Terms and Definitions

Canavan disease
Canavan disease is an inherited disorder of the central nervous system in which affected individuals cannot break down a compound called N-acetyl-L-aspartic acid (NAA). Canavan disease is one of a group of genetic disorders called the eukodystrophies.

Non-system-specific Birth Defect
Amniotic band sequence

vascular dementia
A common form of dementia that results either from narrowing and blockage of the arteries that supply blood to the brain or by strokes that cause an interruption of blood flow within the brain.

Central nervous system Birth Defect
Neural tube defects, hydrocephaly, holoprosencephaly, Dandy-Walker malformation

Bell's palsy
A weakness or paralysis of the muscles that control expression on one side of the face because of damage to a facial nerve.

Eye Birth Defect
Anophthalmia/microphthalmia, congenital cataracts, glaucoma

aneurysm
The localized enlargement of a blood vessel, usually an artery, that forms a bulge or sac.

Genitourinary Birth Defect
Renal agenesis (bilateral), hypospadias (2nd or 3rd degree)

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

NBDPS
National Birth Defects Prevention Study