Brain Injury Terms and Definitions

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.

BDPM
Birth Defects Monitoring Program

aneurysm
The localized enlargement of a blood vessel, usually an artery, that forms a bulge or sac.

NBDPN
National Birth Defects Prevention Network

CBDMP
California Birth Defects Monitoring Program

Central nervous system Birth Defect
Neural tube defects, hydrocephaly, holoprosencephaly, Dandy-Walker malformation

Crouzonodermoskeletal syndrome
Crouzonodermoskeletal syndrome is a genetic disorder characterized by the remature joining of certain bones of the skull (craniosynostosis) and a skin disorder called acanthosis nigricans.

Jackson-Weiss syndrome
Many of the characteristic facial features of Jackson-Weiss syndrome result from the premature fusion of the skull bones. The head is unable to grow normally, which can lead to a misshapen skull, widely spaced eyes, and a bulging forehead. Foot abnormalities are the most consistent characteristic, as not all individuals with Jackson-Weiss syndrome have abnormal skull or facial features.

Non-system-specific Birth Defect
Amniotic band sequence

Orofacial Birth Defect
Choanal atresia, cleft lip, cleft palate