Glossary
- Paraparesis : Paralysis of the body lower half.
- Pathogenesis : The sum of the processes taking place in an organism, developing or producing a disease.
- Pathophysiology : The study of the functional changes in an organism associated with or resulting from the disease.
- Peroxisome : Organelle (specialized part of the cell) of the cytoplasm of the cell. Peroxisomes function to produce and decompose various types of metabolites, and play a particular role in the breakdown of very long-chain fatty acids.
- Phenotype : The observable morphological, biochemical, and physiological characteristics of an individual as determined by a combination of the genotype and the environment. The physical expression of the genotype.
- Philogenetic : Study of how species develop in the course of evolution.
- Phospholipid : Complex lipid constituting the cell membrane and preserving its elasticity.
- Placebo : An inactive substance containing no medication but which looks the same as the active product.
- Polyunsaturated fatty acid : Fatty acids with two or more double bonds.
- Proteasome : Multi-enzymatic complexes which breaks down missfolded, damaged or old proteins in a targeted manner.
- Proteins : Chemical substances produced by the body that follow genetic code instructions. There are several types of protein: some play a structural role (in the strengthening of the membrane for example), but for the most part they are enzymes.
- Proteolipid : A major protein in myelin.
- Protocol : Document drawn up before the start of a trial stating the eligibility criteria, the objectives, the planned sequence of events (schedule, procedures, treatments and doses), the methodology, data processing, projected duration and management of the trial.
