When We Avoid Saying Someone Is Dead, and Instead Say

question 31

Multiple Choice

When we avoid saying someone is dead, and instead say she has "passed on" or is "no longer with us," we are

• A) trying to get closer to death.
• B) speaking as harshly as possible.
• C) using linguistic masks.
• D) burying our head in the sand.

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Definitions:

N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)

A receptor in the brain that plays a key role in synaptic plasticity, memory function, and involved in neuronal communication.

Cholinesterase

is an enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine and other choline esters that function as neurotransmitters, important in muscle function and memory.

Lewy Body

Abnormal aggregations of protein that develop inside nerve cells, contributing to Parkinson's disease and dementia.

Frontotemporal Degeneration

A group of brain disorders caused by the progressive loss of nerve cells in the frontal and/or temporal lobes, affecting behavior, language, and movement.