Glossary A

Glossary A

Alcohol-induced dementia refers to the loss of intellectual abilities due to prolonged alcohol abuse, including memory, abstract thinking, judgment, and problem solving, often accompanied by changes in personality, such as increase in paranoia.

Alcohol-induced persisting amnesic disorder refers to a permanent cognitive disorder caused by damage to the central nervous system due to prolonged alcohol abuse, consisting of Wernicke's encephalopathy and Korsakoff's psychosis.

Alcoholism refers to a physical and psychological dependence on alcohol.

Aldehyde refers to a class of organic compounds obtained from alcohol by oxidation and also found in cigarette smoke; they cause mutations and are related to the development of cancer.

- Aldehyde Dehydrogenase (ALDH) : - Aldehyde Dehydrogenase (ALDH) : Aldehyde Dehydrogenase refers to an enzyme that is involved in metabolizing alcohol.

Aldosterone refers to a corticosteroid hormone involved in the regulation of electrolyte balance; an adrenal hormone that causes the kidneys to conserve sodium when excreting urine.

Alec Jeffreys refers to the biologist who first used DNA in a criminal case to identify a suspect.

Alert inactivity refers to a state in which a baby is calm with eyes open and attentive; the baby seems to be deliberately inspecting the environment.