Alzheimer's Disease Glossary
Navigating a diagnosis of an age-related disease can be overwhelming, especially with all the new medical terms involved. Whether you're preparing for a doctor’s visit or simply want to better understand an Alzheimer's Disease diagnosis, this glossary serves as a quick reference to help you define and understand commonly used terms.
Microglia
Brain cells that respond to any cell damage or foreign invaders that may appear in the environment. They can release chemicals that promote cell healing and those that are a key part of the immune response.
Mild cognitive impairment
A neurological condition in which a person experiences greater memory challenges or other cognitive symptoms than expected for their age but can still perform most daily activities. This condition can lead to dementia, but not all people with mild cognitive impairment will develop dementia.
Neurodegeneration
Chronic, progressive cell damage that results in loss of brain cells.
Neurons
Nerve cells that receive and send messages within the brain and between the brain and the body.
Occipital lobes
A region at the back of the brain that is involved in processing visual information.
Oligodendrocytes
Brain cells that provide other brain cells, called neurons, with a specialized fatty insulation so they can share messages faster.