Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

A noninflammatory form of adrenoleukodystrophy in which the long tracts of the spinal cord are diseased, with limited involvement of peripheral nerves and, in most instances, no evidence of cerebral disease. It is a disease of adults, who gradually become weaker as their nerves accumulate excessive quantities of very long-chain fatty acids.  

A 52-amino acid regulatory peptide that influences a wide variety of body functions, including blood vessel dilation (it lowers blood pressure), cellular growth, circulation, electrolyte balance, kidney function, and neurotransmission. The level of adrenomedullin in the blood is elevated above normal in patients with congestive heart failure, kidney failure, and diabetes mellitus when it is…

Having a stimulating effect on the adrenal cortex.  

A hormone produced by the adrenal cortex; any synthetic derivative of such a hormone.  

Sudden deficiency of adrenocortical hormone brought on by sepsis, surgical stress, or acute hemorrhagic destruction of both adrenal glands (i.e., Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome). A frequent cause is sudden withdrawal of adrenal corticosteroids from patients with adrenal atrophy secondary to chronic steroid administration.  

Concerning the sites in organs or tissues that are acted on by adrenergic transmitters.  

Substances that inhibit transmission of sympathetic nerve stimuli regardless of whether alpha- or beta-adrenergic receptors are involved.  

Inflammation of the adrenal glands.  

Originally used to indicate nearness to the kidney; now used in reference to the adrenal gland or its secretions. Cone-shaped glands that sit atop the kidneys that secrete the catecholamines epinephrine and norepinephrine as well as corticosteroids.  

In psychoanalytic theory, the belief that adolescence is invariably accompanied by behavioral or psychological upheaval. This is no longer thought to be inevitable or even the usual case.