retinitis pigmentosa

a disorder of the retina marked by progressive atrophy of the photoreceptors (affecting rods more than cones) and disturbances in the retinal pigment epithelium. Retinitis pigmentosa causes night blindness and visual field loss (see tunnel vision). Although most commonly a hereditary condition, it has been associated with the use of phenothiazine antipsychotics, such as chlorpromazine and especially thioridazine.

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Psychology term of the day

November 17th 2024

entorhinal cortex

a region of cerebral cortex in the ventromedial portion of the temporal lobe. It has reciprocal connections with the hippocampal formation and various other cortical and subcortical structures and is an integral component of the medial temporal lobe memory system. It is also involved in spatial navigation. Lesions in this area are used to study neural plasticity and working memory; they are also seen in temporal lobe epilepsy and the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease.