Week 4 term – Sensory & Cognition Study Guide (NR283) Vocabulary

A comprehensive collection of vocabulary terms and definitions regarding intracranial regulation, seizure disorders, sensory perception, pain, neuropathy, cognition, dementia, and substance use disorders for NR283 Week 4.

Herniation

Displacement of brain tissue caused by increased intracranial pressure (ICP); can be life-threatening.

Meningitis

Inflammation of the meninges, usually caused by bacterial or viral infection.

Encephalitis

Inflammation of the brain tissue, commonly viral.

Hydrocephalus

Excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) accumulation in the ventricles of the brain.

Aneurysm

Weak bulging area in a blood vessel wall that can rupture.

Pulse Pressure

Difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

Papilledema

Swelling of the optic disc caused by increased intracranial pressure.

Atonic

Sudden loss of muscle tone (“drop attack”).

Tonic

Muscle stiffening during a seizure.

Clonic

Rhythmic jerking movements.

Aura

Sensory warning before a seizure begins.

Postictal

Recovery phase after a seizure; confusion and fatigue are common.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers that transmit signals between neurons.

Receptors

Structures that receive and respond to stimuli.

Anosmia

Loss of sense of smell.

Ageusia

Loss of sense of taste.

Fibromyalgia

Chronic condition causing widespread musculoskeletal pain and fatigue.

Photophobia

Sensitivity to light.

Phonophobia

Sensitivity to sound.

Nociceptors

Pain receptors that detect harmful stimuli.

Pain Threshold

Point at which a stimulus is first perceived as painful.

Pain Tolerance

Maximum amount of pain a person can endure.

Pain Perception

Individual interpretation and awareness of pain.

Pain Response

Physical and emotional reaction to pain.

Neuropathy

Damage or dysfunction of peripheral nerves.

Polyneuropathy

Damage affecting many peripheral nerves simultaneously.

Mononeuropathy

Damage to a single peripheral nerve.

Cognition

Mental processes involved in thinking, learning, memory, judgment, and problem-solving.

Dementia

Progressive decline in memory and cognitive function.

Vascular Dementia

Dementia caused by reduced blood flow to the brain.

Agnosia

Inability to recognize familiar objects or people.

Amnesia

Memory loss.

Aphasia

Difficulty speaking or understanding language.

Apraxia

Inability to perform learned movements despite normal muscle function.

Neurofibrillary Tangles

Twisted protein fibers found inside neurons in Alzheimer disease.

Senile Plaques

Beta-amyloid protein deposits found outside neurons in Alzheimer disease.

Cortical Atrophy

Shrinkage or loss of brain cortex tissue.

Beta-Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP)

Protein associated with plaque formation in Alzheimer disease.

Acetylcholine

Neurotransmitter important for memory and learning; decreased in Alzheimer disease.

Tolerance

Need for larger amounts of a substance to achieve the same effect.

Craving

Strong desire or urge to use a substance.

Loss of Control

Inability to stop or reduce substance use.

Physical Dependence

Body adapts to a substance, causing withdrawal symptoms if stopped.

Addiction

Chronic disease involving compulsive substance use despite harm.

Euphoria

Intense feeling of pleasure or happiness caused by substances.

Withdrawal

Physical and psychological symptoms occurring after stopping substance use.