Positron Emission Tomography( PET): An advanced, computerized imaging technique that uses harmless radioactive tracer substances( e. g., modified glucose) to demonstrate chemical and metabolic activities in the brain. PET images then display areas with normal, increased, or reduced activity that can be interpreted by radiologists to identify disease or normal function.
Postural Instability: Unsteadiness of gait or standing.
Progressive Supranuclear Palsy( PSP): PSP is a neurodegenerative disease( occasionally referred to as Steele-Richardson-Olszewski syndrome, after the three physicians who first described the disease in 1963). The most common first symptom, which occurs, on average, when a person is in her or his 60s, is loss of balance while walking. This may take the form of unexplained falls or of a stiffness and awkwardness in a person’ s gait that can resemble Parkinson’ s disease. Sometimes the falls are described by patients as attacks of dizziness. This often prompts the doctor to suspect an inner ear problem or hardening of the arteries supplying the brain. The second most common form of PSP is called PSP-parkinsonism. Its early stages more closely resemble those of Parkinson’ s disease, with less emphasis on balance problems and behavior changes and more on tremor. These typically have a better early response to antiparkinson drugs than is typical for PSP. PSP-parkinsonism comprises about a quarter of all PSP cases.
Balance difficulty, usually with falls, is the first symptom in a majority of people. Other common early symptoms can be misinterpreted as depression or even as senility. These include forgetfulness and personality changes, such as loss of interest in ordinary pleasurable activities or increased irritability. Less common early symptoms are trouble with eyesight, slurred speech, mild shaking of the hands, and difficulty driving a car. Freezing of gait can be a first and only symptom for several years and difficulty finding words, or aphasia, can be a first and most prominent issue.
Prevalence: Refers to the number of people in a given group or population who have a disease.
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Psychiatrist: A board-certified psychiatrist has at least three years of specialty training after receiving an M. D. degree, and is a medical doctor who specializes in mental disorders. A psychiatrist is uniquely qualified to assess, diagnose, and treat mental and physical conditions.
Psychologist: A doctoral-level specialist in psychology, licensed by the state to practice professional psychology( e. g., assess and treat), teach psychology as a scholarly discipline, or conduct research. Psychologists are usually qualified to provide psychotherapy, administer psychological and educational tests, and diagnose and treat mental and psychiatric disorders.
Pulmonary: Referring to the lungs.
Range of Motion( ROM): The extent of a joint’ s free movement. The normal ROM of the elbow, for instance, carries the forearm through a half-circle. Passive ROM is tested while the limb is relaxed. Active ROM is movement controlled by the patient.
Registered Nurse( RN): A registered nurse( RN) acts upon the order of the physician, providing and directing nursing care services. Additionally, an RN utilizes agency and community resources to fulfill individual patient goals developed in coordination with patients and family.
Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly( RCFE), also known as Board and Care: Care in a setting that resembles a person’ s home. These are small facilities of about six to eight residents that care for older adults who need assistance with Activities of Daily Living( ADLs). Board and Care facilities are licensed by the state’ s department of social services.
Respite Care: The temporary alleviation of the caregiver’ s responsibility and involvement with the patient. It can be obtained through adult day care or in-home agencies.