... twin to the
umbilical vein ofthe other. This abnormal connection
can cause serious complications including loss of the
pregnancy.
GALE ENCYCLOPEDIAOFGENETIC DISORDERS
7
Acardia
The GALE
ENCYCLOPEDIA ... physician reported the condition in a family,
where it was observed in the father and his brother, but
not seen in the father’s mother or his wife. Both the father
and brother would sneeze twice ... activity. These
individuals have no symptoms of AKU. However, they
are carriers of AKU and can pass the gene on to their off-
spring.
All ofthe offspring of two parents with AKU will
inherit the disorder....
... imply
endorsement ofthe editors or publisher.
Errors brought to the attention of the
publisher and verified to the satisfaction of
the publisher will be corrected in future
editions.
The GaleEncyclopediaof ... medication is often prescribed in
order to lessen the nerve inflammation. Use of high doses
of steroids can often produce a rapid diminishing of the
symptoms. Other kinds of treatment depend on the nature
of ... Studies include the
role of dopamine in response to alcohol, and the effects of
another neurotransmitter, serotonin, in alcoholism.
Prognosis
The prognosis depends on the motivation ofthe pa-
tient...
... direct the guide wire to the correct location.
Once it is in position, the needle is then removed, and a
catheter is threaded over the length ofthe guide wire until
it reaches the area of study. The ... number of doses of triptans per month. Patients who
need more doses either must have their doctors try to get
the insurance company to authorize them, or the patients
must pay the full price ofthe ... role in
the progression ofthe disease. The accumulation of dam-
age and loss of brain cells eventually results in the failure
of many different organ systems in the body. According to
the National...
... location of the
defective chromosome. Autosomal dominant inheritance
requires the presence ofthe mutation in only one of the
two copies of a gene (maternal or paternal) to trigger the
onset ofthe ... decompression) Surgi-
cal removal of a piece ofthe bony roof ofthe spinal
canal known as the lamina to increase the size of the
spinal canal and reduce pressure on the spinal cord
and nerve roots.
Spinal ... Arnold-Chiari
malformations. One hypothesis is that the base ofthe skull
is too small, forcing the cerebellum downward. Another
theory focuses on overgrowth in the cerebellar region. The
overgrowth pushes the cerebellum...
... The
process of atherosclerosis causes a hardening ofthe walls
of the arteries and, in the case of atherosclerosis in the
carotid artery, results in a carotid stenosis that reduces the
flow of ... stenosis is the medical description ofthe nar-
rowing or constriction ofthe carotid artery. The artery is
located in the neck, and the narrowing ofthe artery is
caused by the buildup of plaque ... 50% of these strokes are thought to be the result of
carotid stenosis.
Causes and symptoms
The cause of carotid stenosis is the buildup of plaque
on the inner wall ofthe carotid artery. The...
... gen-
eral health ofthe patient.
Clinical trials
Although there are no clinical trials for treatment of
CCM ongoing as of early 2004, much ofthe current re-
search focuses on the genetics ofthe disorder. ... Page 241
214
GALE ENCYCLOPEDIAOF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS
Cerebral circulation
In the embryo, the components ofthe circle of Willis
develop from the embryonic dorsal aortae and the embry-
onic ... color of
these regions produces an axon-dendrite shape that is rem-
iniscent of a butterfly.
The nerves ofthe spinal cord correspond to the
arrangement ofthe vertebrae. There are 31 pairs of nerves,
grouped...
... symptoms
The cause of dermatomyositis is a disruption in the
functioning ofthe immune system, although the precise
details ofthe malfunction are not yet known. While the
basis ofthe disease ... Sometimes there can be accumulation of
calcium as hard bumps underneath the skin in the region
of the rash. The skin may break open and become very
itchy, to the point of disturbing sleep.
The other ... Ac-
cording to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), about
42% ofthe population ofthe United States will complain
of dizziness at some point in their lives. In the United
States, the cost of medical...
... by
underactivity ofthe pituitary gland.
Pituitary gland The most important ofthe en-
docrine glands (glands that release hormones di-
rectly into the bloodstream), the pituitary is located
at the base ofthe ... tsetse fly is the appearance of a
painful red sore (chancre) at the site ofthe bite.
A type of diagnosis called phase diagnosis can be
used to help determine the level of advancement ofthe dis-
ease. ... hunger in the Sub-
Saharan region of Africa have led to difficulty in control-
ling the spread ofthe tsetse fly and the disease.
Treatment
The choice of treatment depends on whether the dis-
ease...
... especially
around the neck. Because the seizure occurs in the setting
of a fever, the main target of therapy is to bring the fever
down. Removing the clothes and applying cool washcloths
to the child’s ... sample of cells is collected from around the
fetus. These cells are then tested for chromosome ab-
normalities or other genetic diseases.
Cornea The transparent structure ofthe eye over
the lens ... set of therapies is possible if
the idea of gene therapy includes the use of DNA for pa-
tient treatment in ways other than inserting new genes
into cells. One example is the drug Gleevec that was...
... contraction
of the facial muscles limited to one side ofthe face. The
eyelids are involved, and upturning ofthe corner of the
mouth is observed. The patient may have facial twitching
during periods of ... within the skull caused by extra tissue or
fluid in the brain.
Papilledema Swelling ofthe optic disc, where the
optic nerve enters the eyeball, or elevation of the
optic nerve, and indication of ... Page 432
GALEENCYCLOPEDIAOF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS
433
Hydrocephalus
Key Terms
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) The clear fluid made in
the ventricular cavities ofthe brain that bathes the
brain...
... investigations of
monoclonal antibody therapy, the genetics of lupus, qual-
ity -of- life improvement, ultraviolet light therapy, stem-cell
transplantation therapy, the mechanisms of kidney and
brain ... least the tenth century
A.D.
The term erythematosus was first attached to the disease
in the 1850s, and it refers to the patchy congestion of skin
capillaries with blood (erythema) that often ... and dilate the
pupil.
Nystagmus Involuntary, rhythmic movement of
the eye.
Polydactyly The presence of extra fingers or toes.
Retina The light-sensitive layer of tissue in the
back ofthe eye that...
... 524
GALE ENCYCLOPEDIAOF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS
Meninges
Anatomy
The outer surface ofthe dura adheres to the skull,
while the inner surface is loosely connected to the arach-
noid layer. The ... is the spinal canal, where there
is normally a thin layer of fat and a network of blood ves-
sels between the dura and the bony portion ofthe vertebrae.
There is normally no space between the ... paresthetica is the result of pressure on the
lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, and subsequent inflam-
mation ofthe nerve. The point of pressure or entrapment
is usually wherethe nerve exits the...