Brain Injury Terms and Definitions

cerebellum
The portion of the brain mainly responsible for balance and coordination.

Gastrointestinal Birth Defect
Esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula, intestinal atresia, biliary atresia

amygdala
uh-MIG-duh-luh). A part of the brain that oversees emotions and triggers your response to danger.

vascular dementia
A common form of dementia that results either from narrowing and blockage of the arteries that supply blood to the brain or by strokes that cause an interruption of blood flow within the brain.

CBDRP
Centers for Birth Defects Research & Prevention

Orofacial Birth Defect
Choanal atresia, cleft lip, cleft palate

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.

enkephalins
(en-KEF-uh-lins). Naturally occurring molecules in the brain. Enkephalins attach to special receptors in the brain and spinal cord to inhibit pain messages. They also affect other functions within the brain and nervous system.

Pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration
Pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration (formerly called Hallervorden-Spatz syndrome) is a disorder of the nervous system. The condition is characterized by progressive difficulty with movement and speech

brain tumor
An abnormal growth of tissue in the brain