degeneration

Definition

The progressive decline or deterioration of physical or mental function within an organ or tissue.

Etymology

Derived from the Latin 'degenerare,' meaning 'to depart from one's race or kind,' which combines 'de-' (down from) and 'genus' (race or kin). It evolved into English to describe the process of falling from a former, higher state of development.

In the news

In this article, the term describes the physical decay occurring in the brain's memory centers due to bacterial infection, which the company aims to stop with new medication.

Novato dementia drug startup gets venture capital infusion

The Press Democrat

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