Amyloidosis Dictionary

Parkinson's disease: A degenerative disorder of the central nervous system that often impairs the sufferer's motor skills and speech. May be associated with amyloidosis.

peripheral stem cell transplantation: Involves using high-dose chemotherapy and transfusion of previously collected immature blood seed cells (stem cells) to replace diseased or damaged marrow

primary amyloidosis: Associated with plasma cell disorders, rare diseases that cause excessive antibody production. Amyloidosis is sometimes diagnosed as multiple myeloma, a rare form of bone marrow cancer.

prion: A type of infectious agent composed only of protein. Associated with different types of amyloidosis.

rheumatoid arthritis (RA): A chronic, inflammatory autoimmune disorder that causes the immune system to attack the joints. RA is a disabling and painful inflammatory condition that can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. Linked to secondary amyloidosis.

secondary amyloidosis: Caused by a number of disorders that cause chronic inflammation. Chronic inflammation causes tissue damage, which, in turn, results in an increase in serum amyloid-associated (SAA) protein. SAA is then used to form amyloid-associated proteins, which build up in the organs.

stem cells: Primal cells found in all multi-cellular organisms that retain the ability to renew themselves through mitotic cell division and can differentiate into a diverse range of specialized cell types.

syphilis: A sexually transmitted disease caused by spiral-shaped spirochete bacterium, Treponema pallidum. Linked to secondary amyloidosis.