• Specialty
  • Cardiology
  • Dentistry
  • Dermatology
  • General Medicine
  • GI/GU
  • Hematology
  • Immunology
  • Lab Medicine & Pathology
  • Neuro-Psych
  • OB-Gyn
  • Oncology
  • Ophthalmology
  • Orthopaedic
  • Otolaryngology - ENT
  • Radiology
  • Surgery

• Neuro-Psych
  • Lots of Neuro-Psych Terms
  • Alzheimer�s Disease Terms
  • Brain Injury Terms
  • Consciousness Levels
  • Cranial Nerves (I-XII)
  • Depression Related Terms
  • Glasgow Coma Scale
  • Mental Health Related Terms
  • Neuro/Psych Medications
  • Phobias
  • Psychiatric Interviews & Examinations
  • Sleep Related Abbreviations
  • Sleep Related Terms
  • Suicide Related Terms
  • Tumors - Neuro
  • Sample Reports - Neurosurgery
  • Sample Reports - Sleep Medicine
  • Sample Reports - Psychiatry / Psychology
  • Sample Reports - Neurology

• Alzheimer�s Disease Terms

- S -

• Safe Return

The Alzheimer�s Association�s nationwide identification, support, and registration program that assists in the safe return of individuals with Alzheimer�s or related dementia who wander and become lost.



• Senile Plaque

See amyloid plaque.



• Senility

Term meaning "old," once used to describe elderly diagnosed with dementia. Today, we know dementia is caused by various diseases (e.g., Alzheimer�s) and is not a normal part of aging.



• Sequencing

In human behavior, doing things in a logical, predictable order.



• Shadowing

Following, mimicking, and interrupting behaviors that people with dementia may experience.



• Side Effect

An undesired effect of a drug treatment that may range in severity from barely noticeable, to uncomfortable, to dangerous. Side effects are usually predictable.



• Skilled Nursing Care

Level of care that includes ongoing medical or nursing services.



• Special Care Unit

Designated area of a residential care facility or nursing home that cares specifically for the needs of people with Alzheimer�s.



• Spinal Cord

One of the two components of the central nervous system. The spinal cord is the main relay for signals between the brain and the rest of the body.



• Stages

Course of disease progression defined by levels or periods of severity: early, mild, moderate, moderately severe, severe.



• Sundowning

Unsettled behavior evident in the late afternoon or early evening.



• Support Group

Facilitated gathering of caregivers, family, friends, or others affected by a disease or condition for the purpose of discussing issues related to the disease.



• Suspiciousness

A mistrust common in Alzheimer patients as their memory becomes progressively worse. A common example is when patients believe their glasses or other belongings have been stolen because they forgot where they left them.



• Synapse

The junction where a signal is transmitted from one nerve cell to another, usually by a neurotransmitter.



• Synaptic Vesicles

Small sacs located at the ends of nerve cell axons that contain neurotransmitters. During activity the vesicles release their contents at the synapse, and the neurotransmitter stimulates receptors on other cells.