spongiform encephalopathy
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spon·gi·form en·ceph·a·lop·a·thy
an encephalopathy characterized by vacuolation within nerve and glial cells.
Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012
spongiform encephalopathy
n.
Any of a group of degenerative diseases of the brain characterized by the progressive formation of vacuoles in the cells of the cerebral cortex.
The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
spon·gi·form en·ceph·a·lop·a·thy
(spŏn'ji-fōrm en-sef'a-lop'ă-thē)An encephalopathy characterized by vacuolation within nerve and glial cells.
Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012
spongiform encephalopathy
One of a number of diseases of the nervous system featuring spongy degeneration of the grey matter of the brain, loss of nerve cells and overgrowth of the brain connective tissue cells (astrocytes). The effects are severe loss of function and death. These diseases are associated with an abnormal cellular inclusion called a prion and which can be diagnosed by locating specific defects within the prion gene. See also CREUTZFELDT-JAKOB DISEASE and KURU.Collins Dictionary of Medicine © Robert M. Youngson 2004, 2005