Glossary

Lumbar puncture – refers to the percutaneous introduction of a needle into the cerebrospinal fluid space of the lumbar spine. This is typically done either for obtaining a specimen of cerebrospinal fluid for analysis or for the delivery of a therapeutic or diagnostic agent.

Low Pressure Hydrocephalus. Ventricular enlargement and low intracranial pressure. Lethargy and headache are frequently associated symptoms and their intensity can be debilitating..

Large Vessel Occlusion. Refers to the blockage of a large blood vessel as could be seen in an ischemic stroke.

The initial, horizontal segment of the middle cerebral artery.

A sophisticated imaging technique using magnetic fields instead of x-rays to create the image.

Middle cerebral artery

Mitogen-activated protein kinase. Also called MAPK or MAP Kinase. A protein involved in directing a cell’s response to a host of stimuli such as mitogens, osmotic stress, heat shock and cytokines involved in inflammation. They regulate cell proliferation, differentiation, survival, apoptosis and gene expression. Dysregulation of this kinase contributes to cancer among other diseases in humans.

Mitochondrial encephalomyopathy with lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes.  A genetic disorder of mitochondria occurring in children and adults and associated with neurologic deficits.

Maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase.  A oncogenic protein involved in apoptoic process and cell proliferation. It plays a role in cancer (in particular breast and brain) development and progression.

Muscle Evoked Potential. Refers to a recorded nerve or muscle potential that is evoked by stimulation of the central nervous system, typically transcranial cortical stimulation. The D-Wave refers to the recorded upper motor neuron potential and the muscle MEP refers to the potential recorded from a muscle.