Brain Injury Terms and Definitions

Guillain-Barre (ge-YAH buh-RA) syndrome
An inflammatory disorder in which the body's immune system attacks the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord (peripheral nerves) and, more rarely, parts of the brain itself.

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

Apert syndrome
Apert Syndrome is a genetic defect and falls under the broad classification of craniofacial/limb anomalies. It can be inherited from a parent who has Apert, or may be a fresh mutation. It occurs in approximately 1 per 160,000 to 200,000 live births. Apert syndrome is primarily characterized by specific malformations of the skull, midface, hands, and feet.

Eye Birth Defect
Anophthalmia/microphthalmia, congenital cataracts, glaucoma

NCEH
National Center for Environmental Health

hippocampus
Part of the brain that assists in storing memory by sorting and sending new bits of information to be stored in appropriate sections of your brain and recalling them when necessary.

cerebellum
The portion of the brain mainly responsible for balance and coordination.

brain tumor
An abnormal growth of tissue in the brain

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

Ear Birth Defect
Anotia/microtia