| gamma alcoholism | Jellinek's term for a severe stage of alcoholism characterised by a progression from psychological to physiological dependence upon alcohol, including tissue dependence and withdrawal symptoms, with loss of control over alcohol intake and destructive effects on interpersonal relationships. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| gamma-glutamate (glutamate gamma-) carboxypeptidase | N-Pteroyl-l-glutamate hydrolase;an enzyme cleaving l-glutamyl residues from pteridine oligoglutamates; used in certain antitumour treatments. Synonym: carboxypeptidase G, conjugase, gamma-glutamate (glutamate gamma-) carboxypeptidase. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| acute alcoholism | A temporary deterioration in mental function, accompanied by muscular incoordination and paresis, induced by the rapid ingestion of alcoholic beverages. Synonym: intoxication. (05 Mar 2000) |
| alcoholism | <disease> A disorder characterised by pathological pattern of alcohol use that causes a serious impairment in social or occupational functioning. In DSN III R this is termed alcohol abuse or, if tolerance or withdrawal is present, alcohol dependence. (18 Nov 1997) |
| alpha alcoholism | Jellinek's term for a still controllable and strictly psychological dependence on alcohol, as to relieve emotional or physical pain, with resulting interference with interpersonal relationships. (05 Mar 2000) |
| beta alcoholism | Jellinek's term for the physical complaints associated with excessive use of alcohol, such as polyneuropathy, gastritis, and liver cirrhosis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| chronic alcoholism | A pathologic condition, affecting chiefly the nervous and gastroenteric systems, associated with impairment in social and occupational functioning, caused by the habitual use of alcoholic beverages in toxic amounts. See: gamma alcoholism. (05 Mar 2000) |
| delta alcoholism | Jellinek's term for an advanced form of gamma alcoholism in which the individual has lost the ability to abstain from partaking of alcohol even for a brief period. (05 Mar 2000) |
| epsilon alcoholism | Jellinek's term for "spree-drinking," such as might occur during periods away from home. (05 Mar 2000) |
| bis-gamma-glutamylcystine reductase | <enzyme> From halobacterium halobium; specific for NADPH Registry number: EC 1.6.4.- Synonym: bis-ggc reductase (26 Jun 1999) |
| gamma | <physics> Third letter in the Greek alphabet, variable used for a number of things in physics, in plasma physics gamma is often used as the variable for growth rates of instabilities. (09 Oct 1997) |
| gamma-Abu | gamma-aminobutyric acid |
| gamma aminobutyric acid | <biochemistry> An important amino acid which functions as the most prevalent inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. Gamma aminobutyric acid works in partnership with a derivative of Vitamin B-6, pyridoxine, to cross from the axons to the dendrites through the synaptic cleft, in response to an electrical signal in the neuron and inhibits message transmission. This helps control the nerve cells from firing too fast, which would overload the system. The action of gamma aminobutyric acid decreases epileptic seizures and muscle spasms by inhibiting electrical signals in this manner. Studies have shown that the site of action in the brain of benzodiazepams, including Valium, is directly coupled to the brain receptor for gamma aminobutyric acid. Acronym: GABA (05 Jan 1998) |
| gamma aminobutyric acid receptor | <physiology> Ligand gated chloride ion channel forming receptor opened by gamma aminobutyric acid. Two distinct types: A and B. A receptor: One of a family of neurotransmitter receptors with fast intrinsic ion channels that includes the glycine receptor and the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. Distinct from another major receptor family, the muscarininc acetylcholine receptor and rhodopsin, with no intrinsic ion channel. The A receptor is specifically blocked by bicuculline. It consists of two pairs of protein chains forming an A2B2 complex, the A chains bind benzodiazepine and the B chains bind GABA. The 4 subunits are thought to form a tight group with the chloride channel in the middle. There is considerable similarity between the amino acid sequences of the receptor subunits and those of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor suggesting that both receptors are derived from some evolutionary ancestor. See: amino acid receptor superfamily. B receptor: Brain receptor (80 kD) for the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma amino butyric acid. Differs from the A receptor both in agonist specificity (baclofen is a specific agonist) and its effects on cells. It modulates intracellular calcium levels through a Go mediated effect on N type calcium channels and also lowers intracellular cAMP levels by an effect on adenylyl cyclase, thereby reducing the secretion of catecholamines. (05 Jan 1998) |
| gamma-amylase | A hydrolase removing terminal alpha-1,4-linked d-glucose residues from nonreducing ends of chains, with release of beta-d-glucose. Synonym: acid maltase, amyloglucosidase, gamma-amylase, glucoamylase. (05 Mar 2000) |
| gamma angle | <ophthalmology> The angle formed between a line joining the fixation point to the centre of the eye and the optic axis. (05 Mar 2000) |