Medical

A blood clot

An X-ray scan of arteries going through and to the brain. In general practice, Patients who have angiograms are first injected with a radiopaque dye (contrasting material) so that arteries are visible to X-rays.

Is an autoimmune disease related to the presence of elevated levels of platelet associated immunoglobulin, or autoantibodies. Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is an autoimmune disease in which platelet antibodies cause increased platelet consumption sometimes leading to hemorrhage.

Is an antibody found in the blood of people who suffer with myasthenia gravis. attacks receptors for the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which sends signals from nerves to muscles and from nerve to nerve in the brain. The antibody prevents transmission of the signal and causes muscle weakness.

A study in April 2006 found that a ketogenic high calorie diet may prevent or slow the progression of ALS (more information). Ketogenic diet is a special method of treating epilepsy (seizure disorders).

Another name for the intestine, and includes both the small bowel and the large bowel. The small intestine is the small bowel, and the large intestine is the large bowel respectively. Excrement is passed through the bowel and is referred to as a 'bowel movement'.

Involuntary, painful shortening of muscles. Usually, a knotting of the muscles is visible.

A change in handwriting with the script becoming smaller and more cramped.

Microglia are macrophages derived from bone marrow. They migrate to the central nervous system during development where they become trapped after the blood brain barrier forms. Microglia are normally inactive but become activated in response to antigenic stimulation.

A type of white blood that ingests (takes in) foreign material. Macrophages are key players in the immune response to foreign invaders such as infectious microorganisms.