Brain Injury Terms and Definitions

neural tube defect
A structure in early fetal life that develops into the brain, spinal cord, spinal nerves and spine.

Ear Birth Defect
Anotia/microtia

hematoma
A collection of blood within the brain or on its surface that can cause increased pressure, which can damage brain cells and interrupt blood flow.

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
Also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, ALS causes degeneration of the nerve cells in certain regions of the brain and spinal cord that control the muscles.

Muenke syndrome
The primary feature of this disease is prematurely fused skull bones along the coronal suture, the growth line which goes over the head from ear to ear. This can result in an abnormally shaped head, wide-set eyes, and flattened cheekbones.

stroke
A condition produced by a blood clot that lodges in an artery and blocks the flow of blood to a portion of the brain, producing symptoms ranging from paralysis of limbs and loss of speech to unconsciousness and death. Less commonly, a stroke may be the result of bleeding into the substance of the brain.

NCEH
National Center for Environmental Health

Alzheimer's disease
Severe form of dementia caused by significant deterioration of brain tissue.

NBDPN
National Birth Defects Prevention Network

BDPM
Birth Defects Monitoring Program