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In vitro
A biological or chemical process occurring outside a
living organism, i.e. conducted on cultured cells.
In vivo
A biological or chemical process occurring inside a living
organism.
Ion channels
Poreforming proteins that help to establish and control
the voltage gradient that exists across the plasma
membrane of all living cells by allowing the flow of
ions down their electrochemical gradient. They are
present in the membranes that surround all biological
cells.
Levodopa
A drug which is used to treat Parkinson’s disease
which helps restore levels of dopamine, a chemical
messenger in the brain responsible for smooth, coordinated
movement and other motor and cognitive functions.
Mania
Mania is a severe medical condition characterized by
extremely elevated mood, energy, and unusual
thought patterns.
Mixed peripheral neuropathic pain
Peripheral neuropathic pain of different aetiologies.
N-type calcium channels
A calcium channel subtype, belonging to the highvoltage-activated
(HVA) calcium channels, that is particularly
involved in the process of synaptic neurotransmitter
release.
Nerve compression
Harmful pressure of a nerve especially in nerves that
pass over rigid prominences, i.e. a rupture disc in the
lower spine causing sciatica.
Nerve entrapment
When a nerve gets “stuck” to the soft tissue that surrounds
it, i.e. muscles, fascia and ligaments.
Neurodegenerative
Relating to or characterized by the degeneration of
nervous tissue.
Neuro-inflammation
Chronic sustained injury of the central nervous system,
involving the response of microglial cells that
contribute to further damage, worsening the disease
progression.
MAO-B (monoamine oxidase B)
An enzyme that is responsible for the metabolism of
dopamine and phenylethylamine in the brain. Thus,
inhibiting MAO-B is a therapeutic strategy for the
treatment of PD.
MAO-B inhibitor
A drug which inhibits the MAO-B enzyme activity.
Mild Cognitive Impairment
Mild Cognitive Impairment is a general term most
commonly used to describe a subtle but measurable
memory disorder. According to this definition, a person
with Mild Cognitive Impairment has memory
problems greater than normally expected with aging,
but does not show other symptoms of dementia, such
as impaired judgement or reasoning.
Neurons
Cells that constitute nervous tissue, that have the
property of transmitting and receiving nervous
impulses.
Neuropathic Low Back Pain (NLBP)
Form of chronic pain initiated or caused by the presence
of a primary lesion, damage or disruption to
some components of sensory neurons involving the
area from the lower rib cage to the gluteal folds, leading
to aberrant transmission of pain signals.
72 Newron Annual Report 2011