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Dopamine
A neurotransmitter known to have multiple functions
depending on where it acts. Dopamine-containing
neurons in a specific area of the basal ganglia are
destroyed in Parkinson’s disease victims.
Dopamine reuptake
The active transport of dopamine from the synaptic
cleft into the presynaptic neuron after it has performed
its function of transmitting a neural impulse.
Dopaminergic system
The system of nerve cells that uses dopamine as its
neurotransmitter.
Double-blind study
A clinical trial design in which neither the participating
individuals (healthy volunteers or patients) nor the
study staff know which participants are receiving the
experimental drug and which are receiving placebo
or another active treatment. Double-blind trials are
thought to produce objective results, since the
expect ations of the doctor and the participant about
the ex perimental drug do not affect the outcome.
Dyskinesias
Abnormal, involuntary body movements that can
appear as jerking, fidgeting, twisting, and turning
movements. In the context of Parkinson’s disease,
dyskinesias are often the result of chronic levodopa
therapy. These motor fluctuations occur in more than
half of PD patients with levodopa therapy. Dyskinesias
most commonly occur at the time of peak levodopa
plasma concentrations and are thus referred to as
peak-dose dyskinesias. As patients advance, they may
evidence diphasic dyskinesias, which occur when the
drug concentration rises or falls.
Endogenous
Produced or synthesized within the organism.
Executive function
Executive function is a collection of varying abilities
that involve regulatory control over thought and
behaviour in the service of goal-directed or intentional
action, problem-solving, and flexible shifting of
actions to meet task demands. Clinical data about
executive function can be obtained by observing an
individual’s ability to problem-solving in the natural
environment and assessing how flexible a person is
when faced with a changing routine.
The major executive functions include response
inhib ition (which permits impulse control, resistance
to distraction, and delay of gratification); non-verbal
working memory (which permits the holding of
events in the mind and allows self-awareness across
time); verbal working memory (which comprises the
internaliz ation of speech and permits self-description,
questioning and reading comprehension); and selfregulation
of emotion and motivation (which permits
motivation, persistence toward a goal, and emotional
self-control).
GABA
Gamma-Amino Butyric Acid, a neurotransmitter which
acts at inhibitory synapses in the brain and spinal cord.
Gastrointestinal
Relating to, or affecting both stomach and intestine or
their functions.
Glutamate
A salt or ester of levorotatory glutamic acid. Glutamic
acid is an amino acid, one of the 20 building blocks
of proteins. It is involved in ammonia metabolism and
serves as an excitatory neurotransmitter.
Half-life
The time required for half the amount of a drug introduced
in an organism to be metabolized or excreted;
most commonly refers to drug plasma levels.
EPO
European Patent Office.
Inflammatory pain
Triggered by nerve endings that become irritated
when surrounded by inflamed tissue.
Glossary – Newron Annual Report 2011 7 1