peripheral neuropathy

a neuromuscular disorder of the extremities caused by damage to the peripheral nervous system and usually characterized by weakness, numbness, clumsiness, and sensory loss. Causes are numerous and include diabetes, nutritional deficiencies, injury or trauma, and exposure to toxic substances (see alcoholic neuropathy).

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Psychology term of the day

January 2nd 2025

brain fingerprinting

a forensic technique that uses neuroimaging (e.g., functional magnetic resonance imaging) to match brain activity of control subjects with that of possible criminal suspects when both are viewing crime-scene details. The technique is based on the theory that certain sensory-perceptual brain activity would be expected to become activated in an individual familiar with the crime’s details but not in an individual unfamiliar with them. [developed by Lawrence A. Farwell, U.S. scientist]