Amantadine Health Dictionary

A viral infection of the respiratory tract (air passages), typically causing fever, headache, muscle ache, and weakness. Popularly known as “flu”, it is spread by infected droplets from coughs or sneezes. Influenza usually occurs in small outbreaks or every few years in epidemics. There are 3 main types of influenza virus: A, B, and C. A person who has had an attack caused by the type C virus acquires antibodies that provide immunity against type C for life. Infection with a strain of type A or B virus produces immunity to that particular strain. However, type A and B viruses are capable of altering to produce new

strains: type A has been the cause of pandemics in the last century.

Types A and B produce classic flu symptoms; type C causes a mild illness that is indistinguishable from a common cold. The illness usually clears up completely within 7–10 days. Rarely, flu takes a severe form, causing acute pneumonia that may be fatal within a day or 2 even in healthy young adults. Type B infections in children sometimes mimic appendicitis, and they have been implicated in Reye’s syndrome. In the elderly and those with lung or heart disease, influenza may be followed by a bacterial infection such as bronchitis or pneumonia. Analgesic drugs (painkillers) help to relieve aches and pains and reduce fever. The antiviral drug amantadine may be given if the person is elderly or has another lung condition. Antibiotic drugs may be used to combat secondary bacterial infection.

Flu vaccines, containing killed strains of the types A and B virus currently in circulation, are available, but have only a 60–70 per cent success rate.

Immunity is short-lived, and vaccination (recommended for older people and anyone suffering from respiratory or circulatory disease) must be repeated annually.... influenza

A term that is used to indicate the number of pregnancies a womanhas undergone that have resulted in the birth of a baby capable of survival. parkinsonism Any neurological disorder characterized by a mask-like face, rigidity, and slow movements. The most common type is Parkinson’s disease.

Parkinson’s disease A neurological disorder that causes muscle tremor, stiffness, and weakness. The characteristic signs are trembling, rigid posture, slow movements, and a shuffling, unbalanced walk. The disease is caused by degeneration of, or damage to, cells in the basal ganglia of the brain, reducing the amount of dopamine (which is needed for control of movement). It occurs mainly in elderly people and is more common in men.

The disease usually begins as a slight tremor of 1 hand, arm, or leg, which is worse when the hand or limb is at rest. Later, both sides of the body are affected, causing a stiff, shuffling, walk; constant trembling of the hands, sometimes accompanied by shaking of the head; a permanent rigid stoop; and an unblinking, fixed expression. The intellect is unaffected until late in the disease.

There is no cure.

Drug treatment is used to minimize symptoms in later stages.

Levodopa, which the body converts into dopamine, is usually the most effective drug.

It may be used in combination with benserazide or carbidopa.

The effects of levodopa gradually wear off.

Drugs that may be used in conjunction with it, or as substitutes for it, include amantadine and bromocriptine.

Surgical operations on the brain are occasionally performed.

Untreated, the disease progresses over 10 to 15 years, leading to severe weakness and incapacity.

About one third of sufferers eventually develop dementia.... parity

a receptor on synapses that binds the *neurotransmitter glutamate and also binds its *agonist NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate). This receptor is involved in learning, memory, mood, and cognition; its overactivity is associated with chronic pain. NMDA-receptor antibodies are associated with an *encephalitis preceded by psychiatric symptoms, often in patients with ovarian malignancy (teratoma). NMDA-receptor antagonists (e.g. *amantadine, *memantine hydrochloride, *riluzole) are used in the treatment of (among other conditions) epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease, and chronic pain syndromes.... nmda receptor