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A
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ACE
inhibitors:
Ace inhibitors are drugs that inhibit ACE (angiotensin
converting enzyme). An enzyme needed for the production
of the peptide angiotensin II, which causes arteries
to constrict and therefore raises the blood pressure.
ACE inhibitors lower the blood pressure by inhibiting
the formation of angiotensin II. This relaxes the arteries
and thus lowers blood pressure. Relaxing the arteries
also helps to improve the pumping efficiency of a failing
heart and therefore increase cardiac output in patients
with heart failure. ACE inhibitors are used in the treatment
of hypertension (high blood pressure) and congestive
heart failure. ACE inhibitors currently in use include:
benazepril, captopril, lisinopril, quinapril, and ramipril.
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Acetylcholine
(ACh):
a neurotransmitter, which plays an important role in
memory. It is used for control of sensory input signals
and muscular control. ACh is a stimulatory neurotransmitter.
When released by muscle nerves, it makes those muscles
contract. It is made from the precursor nutrient choline
and there is some evidence that increased dietary choline
can increase production and use of acetylcholine. Also,
many drugs affect the production and release of this
neurotransmitter.
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Age-related
macular degeneration (AMD):
AMD is a disease that progressively destroys the central
portion of the retina, which is called the macula. AMD
is the leading cause of severe vision loss in people
aged 50 and over in the Western World. As many as 30-million
people throughout the world are thought to suffer from
the condition. There are two types of AMD - the wet
type and the milder and more common dry type. Although
the wet form of AMD accounts for just 10-15% of all
cases of AMD, it is responsible for 90% of severe vision
loss associated with the disease. Some research suggests
that taking supplements of zinc and the antioxidants
vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene may help to
slow the progression of wet AMD.
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Alzheimer's
disease:
also called SDAT (senile dementia Alzheimer's type).
This disease is characterized by a general loss of intellectual
ability and impairment of memory, judgment and abstract
thinking, as well as changes in personality. Other symptoms
include loss of speech, disorientation and apathy. Alzheimer's
disease is the most common cause of dementia, rarely
occurring before the age of 50. The disease takes from
a few months to four or five years to progress to complete
loss of intellectual function.
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Amino
acid:
an organic acid containing an amine (ammonia-like) chemical
group. Your body puts amino acids together in highly
specific ways to manufacture proteins.
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Amyloid
Plaque:
a build up of beta-amyloid protein. Amyloid plaques
are one of the characteristic structural abnormalities
found in the brains of Alzheimer patients. Upon autopsy,
the presence of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary
tangles is used to positively diagnose Alzheimer's disease.
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Antioxidant:
a nutrient or chemical that reacts with and neutralizes
free radicals or chemicals that release free radicals.
Antioxidants are also called free radical scavengers.
Vitamins A, C, E and some of the B vitamins, beta-carotene,
selenium and some key enzymes in your body are all antioxidants.
By intercepting the free radicals, antioxidants prevent
them from damaging molecular structures such as your
DNA (see free radicals).
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Antagonist:
Antagonist is an agent that prevents or reduces the
secretion from a gland.
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Apolipoprotein
E (APOE):
a gene situated on chromosome 19 that codes for a protein
in lipoproteins that are normal constituents of blood
plasma, for example HDL (high density lipoprotein),
LDL (low density lipoprotein), and VLDL (very low density
lipoprotein). There are a number of common variations
(alleles) of the APOE gene, the most common of which
are known as: e2, e3, and e4. Research has shown that
people who inherit one or more copies of the APOEe4
gene are at increased risk of developing Alzheimer's
disease. Meanwhile, there is evidence to suggest that
the relatively rare APOEe2 allele may offer some protection
against the disease - it seems to be associated with
a lower risk for Alzheimer's and a later age of onset
if the disease does develop. APOEe3 is the most common
form of the gene in the general population and is thought
to have no effect on Alzheimer's risk.
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Apoptosis:
or programmed cell death is a form of cell death in
which a programmed sequence of events leads to the destruction
of cells without releasing harmful substances into the
surrounding area. Apoptosis plays an important role
in health by eliminating aged cells, unnecessary cells,
and unhealthy cells. A protein called bcl-2 prevents
apoptosis in normal healthy cells. However, many cancer
cells, which would normally be destroyed by apoptosis
because they proliferate too quickly, produce high levels
of bcl-2 in order to evade destruction.
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ATP:
(Adenosine Triphosphate), the universal energy molecule,
created in the mitochondria of your cells using energy
derived from the food you eat. All the cellular activities
in your body use the energy released by splitting ATP.
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Atrophy:
means the dying or death, normally referring to a gland
or organ.
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Autoimmune
disease: Autoimmune
disease is a type of illness that occurs when the body
tissues are attacked by its own immune system. People
suffering from autoimmune diseases tend to have unusual
antibodies circulating in their blood that target their
own body tissues. Autoimmune diseases are more common
in women than in men. Examples of autoimmune diseases
include systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE or lupus),
rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, juvenile (type
1) diabetes, Addison disease, vitiligo, pernicious anemia,
glomerulonephritis, and pulmonary fibrosis. |
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B
As
of now, no terms for B here
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C
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C-reactive
protein (CRP):
CRP is an inflammatory marker - a protein that the body
releases in response to inflammation. Thus, elevated
levels of CRP in the blood mean that there is inflammation
somewhere in the body. CRP is not normally present in
the blood of a healthy patient. CRP levels can increase
by as much as 1000-times with inflammation. Conditions
that commonly lead to marked changes in CRP include
infection, trauma, surgery, burns, inflammatory conditions,
and advanced cancer. Moderate changes occur after strenuous
exercise, heatstroke, and childbirth. Psychological
stress and some psychiatric illnesses can cause small
changes in CRP levels. CRP is the only inflammatory
marker that has been found to be an indicator of heart
health. Therefore, doctors often carry out a CRP test
at the same time as cholesterol and other lipid tests
to help predict a patient's risk of heart attack.
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Catecholamines:
the class of neurotransmitters that includes norepinephrine
and dopamine.
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Celecoxib
(Celebrex):
a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to
treat osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Some
research suggests that it might reduce Alzheimer's risk
in persons with a family history of dementia.
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Central
nervous system (CNS):
CNS is the brain, spinal cord and their associated nerves.
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Cerebrovascular
insufficiency:
an inadequate supply of blood to the brain because of
a narrowing of the blood vessels, which lead to, or
are in various areas of the brain.
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Cholinergic:
the parts of the nervous system that use acetylcholine
as a neurotransmitter.
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Chromosomes:
double stranded DNA helixes.
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Cross-linking:
an oxidation reaction in which undesirable bonds form
between nucleic acids (RNA and DNA) or between proteins
(bit into an apple and watch it do yellow over time,
this is protein cross linking). |
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D
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Dendrites:
the fine network of branches that extend from the body
of a nerve, receiving impulses and carrying them into
the center of the cell.
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DHT
(dihydrotestosterone):
a conversion of testosterone that is considered to be
an aging-bio-marker. Among its affects are the appearance
of body-hair, the loss of scalp hair and the onset of
prostate gland problems.
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DMAE
(demethylaminoethanol):
is found in small amounts in the brain and is known
for its brain enhancing affects.
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DNA
(Deoxyribonucleic acid):
the genetic blueprint that resides in the nucleus of
every cell of every living organism ever studied. Many
researchers believe that free radicals damage to the
DNA is directly involved in aging and cancer.
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Dopamine:
a neurotransmitter critical to fine motor co-ordination,
immune function, motivation, insulin regulation, physical
energy, thinking, short term memory, emotions such as
sexual desire and autonomic nervous system balance.
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Dopaminergic:
the parts of the nervous system, which use dopamine
as a neurotransmitter.
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Double
blind:
a type of scientific experiment in which neither the
subjects nor the researchers know who is receiving an
active substance and who is receiving a placebo. Researchers
who do not know which subjects received the active substance
then usually evaluate the data generated from the experiment.
This type of experiment helps to eliminate personal
bias from research.
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Double-blind
crossover:
this is a study where at one point in the experiment
all of the subjects switch from an active substance
to a placebo or vice versa. |
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E
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Endocrine
System:
Endocrine System is a term for a group of glands, specifically
the pituitary, thyroid, thymus, pancreas, adrenal, testes
and ovaries. |
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F
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Free
Radical: a
highly chemically reactive atom, molecule or molecular
fragment with a free or unpaired electron. Free radicals
are produced in many different ways such as, normal
metabolic processes, ultraviolet radiation from the
sun, nuclear radiation and the breakdown in the body
of spoiled fats. Free radicals have been implicated
in aging, cancer, cardiovascular disease and other kinds
of damage to the body, (see antioxidants).
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Free-Radical
Scavenger:
the cascade of chemical reactions that occurs when a
free radical reacts with another molecule in order to
gain an electron. The molecule that loses an electron
to the free radical then becomes a free radical, repeating
the process until the energy of the free radical is
spent, or the reaction is stopped by an antioxidant.
In biological systems, this cascade can damage important
molecules like DNA. |
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G
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GABA
(gamma aminobutyric acid):
an amino acid, which acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter.
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Growth
Hormone (GH):
a hormone secreted by the pituitary gland. GH stimulates
growth and repair of the body as well as the activities
of the immune system. With age, GH release diminishes
(also known as hGH or human growth hormone). |
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H
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Hippocampus:
an area of the brain believed responsible for memory
and personality.
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Hormone:
Hormone is Latin for a "chemical messenger,"
such as growth hormone, testosterone or insulin.
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Huntington
disease:
Huntington is an hereditary disorder characterized by
mental and physical deterioration that ultimately leads
to death. It is sometimes referred to as Hungtinton's
chorea due to the involuntary rapid movement of limbs
(chorea), which are a symptom of the disease. The characteristic
symptoms of the disease are caused by loss of neurons
(nerve cells) in the brain. Huntington's is caused by
a faulty gene known as HD, which is located on chromosome
4. Diagnosis is by genetic testing. Currently, there
is no cure, although medication may be used to control
symptoms of the illness.
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Hypothalamus:
an area of the brain that is believed to be the command
center for instructions to the endocrine system.
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Hypoxia:
a condition of lowered oxygen levels in the blood. Hypoxia
promotes free radical activity in the body. |
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I
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Infarct:
tissue which has died due to a lack of oxygen resulting
from a blood clot or blocking of an artery.
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Inhibitory
neurotransmitter:
a neurotransmitter which decreases the electrochemical
activity of neurons. GABA and serotonin are inhibitory
neurotransmitters. |
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J
As
of now, no terms for J here
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K
As
of now, no terms for K here
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L
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Lipofuscin:
the brown waste material deposited in skin and nerve
cells that is commonly called "age spots."
Lipofuscin is made of free radical damaged proteins
and fats.
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Liver
spots:
deposits of lipofuscin in the skin. |
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M
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Mitochondria:
structures in cells that act as power plants.
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Monoamine
oxidase (MAO):
an enzyme which, in the brain, breaks down certain neurotransmitters
such as serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. |
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N
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Nerve
growth factor (NGF):
a naturally occurring hormone that stimulates the growth
of neurones.
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Neurites:
the tiny projections growing from each nerve cell which
carries information between the cells. A nerve cell
may have over 100,000 neurites growing out of it; each
connected to another nerve cell.
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Neurochemical:
a chemical that naturally occurs in the nervous system
and plays a part in its functioning.
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Neurodegenerative
disease:
a type of neurological disorder marked by the loss of
nerve cells. For example Alzheimer's Disease, Huntington's
Disease, and Parkinson's Disease.
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Neurofibrillary
tangles:
Accumulation of twisted protein fragments inside neurons.
Neurofibrillary tangles are one of the characteristic
structural abnormalities found in the brains of patients
with Alzheimer's disease patients. Upon autopsy, the
presence of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles
is used to positively diagnose Alzheimer's disease.
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Neuron:
a nerve cell.
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Neurotransmitter:
one of the many chemicals that carry impulses between
nerve cells.
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Neurotrophic
factor:
a molecule, typically a protein, such as nerve growth
factor (NGF), that promotes nerve cell growth, repair,
and survival.
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Niacin:
Niacin is the active part of vitamin B3.
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Nootropic:
a word coined by Dr. Giurgea to describe a new class
of drugs that act as cognitive enhancers with no side
effects or toxicity, from the Greek words noos, meaning
mind and tropein, meaning toward.
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Norepinephrine
(also known as Noradrenaline):
an excitatory neurotransmitter involved in alertness,
concentration, aggression and motivation, among other
behaviors. Norepinephrine is made in the brain from
the amino acid phenylalanine. |
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O
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Oxidation:
a chemical reaction in which an electron is taken from
a molecule of the oxidized substance. |
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P
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Pancreas:
the gland responsible for insulin production.
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Parkinson's
disease:
a chronic disease of the central nervous system caused
by lowered levels of the inhibitory neurotransmitter
dopamine. Symptoms include muscular tremors and weakness.
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Pituitary
gland:
a gland at the base of the brain. The pituitary secretes
several different hormones involved in key metabolic
processes.
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Placebo:
an inert compound usually given to a portion of the
subjects in a scientific experiment, in order to distinguish
the psychological effects of the experiment from the
physiological effects of the drug being tested.
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Precursor:
a chemical that can be converted by the body into another
is a precursor of the latter chemical.
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Pregnenolone:
the grandmother steroid hormone produced in the mitochondria
that is the base "raw-material" for all the
steroids and neuro-steroids. |
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Q
As
of now, no terms for Q
here
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R
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Receptors:
sites on the outside of cells where particular messenger
molecules such as hormones can attach. This attachment
to the receptor site causes corresponding changes inside
the cell.
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Regeneration:
the regrowth of cells, tissues, organs or limbs.
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RNA:
ribonucleic acid, which carries instructions from DNA
in the nucleus to cell polyribosomes, where proteins
are, made according to the RNA instructions. |
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S
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Senility:
the aging related loss of mental faculties.
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Serotonin:
an inhibitory neurotransmitter required for sleep.
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Stimulatory
neurotransmitter:
a neurotransmitter that increases electro-chemical activity
in the nerve cells. Norepinephrine is a stimulatory
neurotransmitter.
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Stroke:
a rupture in a blood vessel in the brain, often with
disastrous effects depending on where the rupture occurs.
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Superoxide
dismutase (SOD):
a zinc and copper or manganese-containing enzyme which
reacts with superoxide radicals to convert them to less
dangerous chemical entities.
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Superoxide
radical:
a free radical thought to play a central role in arthritis
and cataract formation.
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Synapse:
the gap between nerve cells.
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Synergies:
when compounds are combined and their effects are more
than the sum of their individual effects; the compounds
are said to have positive synergy. Many of the nootropic
compounds have positive synergy effects with each other,
they become synergistic.
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Systemic:
throughout the entire body. |
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T
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Toxic:
poisonous, everything, including water and oxygen is
toxic in sufficiently high doses.
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Thymus:
the master gland of the immune system located behind
the breastbone.
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Thyroid:
the gland located in the center of the brain responsible
(amongst other things) for temperature regulation.
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Triglycerides:
a class of fats found in the bloodstream. |
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U
As
of now, no terms for U here
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V
As
of now, no terms for V here
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W
As
of now, no terms for W here
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X
As
of now, no terms for X here
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Y
As
of now, no terms for Y here
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Z
As
of now, no terms for Z here
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