Glossary

CDK.  Cyclin-dependent kinase.  A protein involved in regulation of the cell cycle, DNA transcription and DNA repair. Chromosomal translocations, mutations, insertions, deletions and gene overexpressions resulting in alterations of cyclins, CDKs and CDK inhibitors are common in most cancers.

The brain and spinal cord. These structures receives and integrates information from the body via the peripheral nervous system and coordinates the activity of the elements of the body.

a non-progressive injury to the central nervous system occurring during gestation or in the perinatal period

Congenital heart disease.  A disorder or defect in the heart affecting blood circulation that is present at birth.  This can affect the heart’s valves, walls or its surrounding blood vessels.

Congestive heart failure. A chronic, usually progressive failure of the heart to pump an amount of blood needed by the body.  This results in a “back-up” of blood that in turn causes fatigue, shortness of breath, and a build-up of fluid or “edema” in the extremities, lungs and other locations.

AKA CAR. A synthesized protein receptor introduced to a collection of a patient’s T-cells containing a region that binds to an antigen site on a targeted cell (e.g. a cancer cell).  After the t-cell has bound to the targeted antigen another region of the CAR signals the T-cell to attack and kill the cell it has bound to.

of or resembling chitin (A tough, protective, semitransparent substance, primarily a nitrogen-containing polysaccharide, forming the principal component of arthropod exoskeletons and the cell walls of certain fungi.)

A specific type of involuntary, abnormal muscle contraction characterized by a sudden, rapid, jerking pattern 0f movement.

Choroid Plexus Papilloma

Cranial or Cephalic Index. The ration of the head’s width to its length. It is calculated by dividing the maximal head width by the maximal head length and multiplying the resulting quotient by 100.