Glossary

Occurs in all ethnic groups.

Pharmacological chaperone technology involves the use of small molecules that selectively bind to and stabilize proteins in cells, leading to improved protein folding and trafficking, and increased activity.

Tests early-stage embryos produced through in vitro fertilization (IVF) for the presence of a variety of genetic conditions. One cell is extracted from the embryo in its eight-cell stage and analyzed. Embryos free of conditions that would cause serious disease can be implanted in a woman's uterus with the hopes of resulting in a healthy pregnancy.

Refers to a variety of tests to determine the health of the fetus. In some cases of known carrier couples of genetic disease prenatal analysis can show if the fetus is affected by the disease. See Amniocentesis and Chorionic villus sampling (CVS).

A large complex molecule made up of one or more chains of amino acids. Proteins perform a wide variety of activities in the cell.

Points near the center of the body. Proximal muscles are the trunk muscles and help maintain balance, opposite of distal. For more details visit: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002287.htm

Psychosis is a loss of contact with reality, typically including delusions (false ideas about what is taking place or who one is) and hallucinations (seeing or hearing things which aren't there). For more details visit: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001553.htm

Pyrimethamine is a drug is approved for treating malaria, and has also been found to have an effect on other diseases such as toxoplasmosis, a life-threatening parasitic infection. It has also been used as an off-label therapy for Tay-Sachs (Late Onset and Juvenile). Pyrimethamine is based on pharmacological chaperone technology.