Dictionary

AML See leukemia, acute myeloid.

amitriptyline A tricyclic antidepressant drug (brand name: Elavil) prescribed to treat depression, chronic pain, migraines, eating disorders, and a wide variety of other conditions. See also tricyclic antidepressant.

aminotransferase An enzyme that catalyzes the transfer of an amino group from a donor molecule to a recipient molecule. The donor molecule is usually an amino acid and the recipient molecule is usually an alpha-2 keto acid. Two of the best-known enzymes in this class are serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) and serum glutamic pyruvic…

amino acid screen A screening blood or urine test that returns information about the levels of amino acids. An amino acid screen is useful in diagnosing certain conditions, including the inborn errors of amino acid metabolisms such as phenylketonuria (PKU).

amino acid One of the 20 building blocks from which proteins are assembled. Isoleucine, leucine, lysine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine are deemed “essential” amino acids because the human body cannot make them and they must be obtained in the diet. Amino acids are sometimes taken orally in supplement form.

amine A chemical compound containing nitrogen. Amines are derived from ammonia.

AMI Acute myocardial infarction.

American Type Culture Collection The world’s premier biological culture repository, and a key resource for medical research.

amenorrhea, secondary The cessation of menstruation for abnormal reasons. Causes include anorexia nervosa, disease of the female reproductive tract, and overexercise. Secondary amenorrhea can also be caused by certain medications, notably the birth control medication medroxyprogesterone (brand name: Depo-Provera); in this case, amenorrhea is an expected effect.

amenorrhea, primary The failure of menstruation to occur at puberty.

amenorrhea, physiologic The cessation of menstruation for completely normal reasons. The lack of menstruation during pregnancy and lactation are forms of physiologic amenorrhea.

amenorrhea See menstruation, cessation of.