Brain Injury Terms and Definitions

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

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

neural tube defect
A structure in early fetal life that develops into the brain, spinal cord, spinal nerves and spine.

Pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration
Pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration (formerly called Hallervorden-Spatz syndrome) is a disorder of the nervous system. The condition is characterized by progressive difficulty with movement and speech

BDPM
Birth Defects Monitoring Program

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.

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

NCEH
National Center for Environmental Health

CBDRP
Centers for Birth Defects Research & Prevention

closed head injury
An injury to the head or brain in which the skull remains intact.