Essential Tremor( ET): A common, slowly and variably progressive neurologic movement disorder characterized by involuntary, rhythmic“ back and forth” movements( i. e., tremor) of a body part or parts. In ET patients, tremor is primarily a“ postural” or“ kinetic” tremor or may be a combination of both types: i. e., tremor occurs while voluntarily maintaining a fixed position against gravity( postural tremor) and / or when conducting self-directed, targeted actions( kinetic intention tremor). In many individuals with ET, both hands are affected, although the condition may sometimes initially be noted in the dominant hand. ET also frequently affects the head. Less commonly, patients have tremor involving the voice, tongue, or roof of the mouth( palate), leading to impaired articulation of speech( dysarthria). ET may appear to occur randomly for unknown reasons( sporadically) or be transmitted as an autosomal dominant trait.
Executive Function: Executive function refers to a person’ s ability to establish a goal and then make decisions and put into action activities to meet that goal.
Extended Care Facility: A healthcare center( e. g., skilled nursing facility, long-term care facility, nursing home) that typically provides continuation of care after a hospital stay or when patients require care beyond that available in their own homes.
Flexion: The act of bending( as opposed to extending) a joint.
Food and Drug Administration( FDA): The FDA is an agency within the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services. The FDA is responsible for( a) protecting the public health by assuring that foods( except for meat from livestock, poultry, and some egg products, which are regulated by the U. S. Department of Agriculture) are safe, wholesome, sanitary, and properly labeled; ensuring that human and veterinary drugs, vaccines, other biological products, and medical devices intended for human use are safe and effective;( b) protecting the public from electronic product radiation;( c) assuring cosmetics and dietary supplements are safe and properly labeled;( d) regulating tobacco products; and( e) advancing the public health by helping to speed product innovations. The FDA’ s responsibilities extend to the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and other U. S. territories and possessions. This information was taken from the FDA’ s website.
121
Free Radicals: Free radicals are molecular species that are unstable, highly reactive, and can damage biologically relevant molecules such as DNA, proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids, thus causing cell damage and homeostatic disruption.
Gait: The style or manner of walking. Gait disturbances may be associated with certain neurologic or movement disorders( such as PSP, CBD, and MSA), orthopedic conditions, inflammatory conditions of the joints( i. e., arthritic changes), or other abnormalities.
Gait Apraxia: Loss of the ability to consciously sequence and execute the movements required to coordinate walking. Gait apraxia may result in unsteady walking patterns;“ toe-walking;” a widely based, jerky gait; and balance difficulties.
Gastrostomy Tube( G-Tube): A plastic tube inserted into the stomach through a surgical incision in the abdomen. A gastrostomy tube is used to deliver liquefied food to the digestive system when swallowing becomes dangerous or difficult. The most common G-Tube procedure is the percutaneous( through the skin) endoscopic gastrostomy( PEG).
Gene: The smallest units of heredity. The information from all the genes, taken together, makes up the blueprint or plan for the human body and its functions( genome). A gene is a short segment of DNA, which is interpreted by the body as a plan or template for building a specific protein.