PLAIN-LANGUAGE GLOSSARY

The words should help—not become another barrier.

Definitions explain how recurring molecular, clinical, evidence, and research terms are used on this site. Each entry also states what the term does not mean.

34 definitions

AAdditional findingAlso searched as: second variant · other genetic finding · possible contributor

Another molecular or clinical finding kept visible because it may affect interpretation.

Area not addressedAlso searched as: missing information · not reported · no information available

The available sources do not contain an answer for that field or clinical area.

ASH1LAlso searched as: ASH1-like histone lysine methyltransferase · gene

A gene involved in chromatin regulation. Disease-causing variants are associated with an autosomal dominant syndromic neurodevelopmental disorder.

BBaselineAlso searched as: usual function · reliable starting point

The person’s defined usual function and context before a change or comparison window.

CChromatinAlso searched as: epigenetics · DNA packaging · gene regulation

DNA together with associated proteins and chemical marks that help regulate genome organization and gene activity.

Connected peopleAlso searched as: 63 people · connected families

The 63 people whose information, shared by individuals and families, is currently represented in group-level summaries on this site.

Context, state & recoveryAlso searched as: load · state change · recovery curve

A sequence that records what demand or condition was active during a change—such as illness, sleep loss, pain, medication, sensory demand, or task difficulty—then the observable event, time-matched measurement, action, and return toward baseline.

Copy-number variant (CNV)Also searched as: CNV · deletion · duplication · copy number

A deletion or duplication affecting a genomic interval that may include ASH1L and sometimes other genes.

DDe novoAlso searched as: new variant · not detected in parents

A change not detected in tested parental samples, subject to identity, sample, and assay limits.

Diagnostic overshadowingAlso searched as: everything blamed on ASH1L · just behavior

Attributing a new symptom, behavior, or functional change to an existing diagnosis without proportionate assessment of other explanations.

FFamilial clusterAlso searched as: related participants · family cluster · pedigree control

Known relatives are identified so they are not treated as independent recurrence events.

Family- or individual-observed historyAlso searched as: caregiver observation · family report

Direct caregiver or individual observation of function, timing, change, context, or recovery.

Family-reported clinical resultAlso searched as: reported diagnosis · caregiver-reported result

A clinical result described by a family before the original record is available.

HH3K36Also searched as: histone H3 lysine 36 · H3K36 methylation · H3K36me2

A position on histone H3 that can carry methyl marks involved in chromatin regulation; ASH1L has H3K36 methyltransferase activity in experimental systems.

HaploinsufficiencyAlso searched as: dosage sensitivity · one functional copy · HI

A disease mechanism in which one functional copy of a gene is not sufficient for typical function.

IInformation availableAlso searched as: information present · data available · area addressed

The available sources contain some information relevant to a defined field or clinical area.

InheritedAlso searched as: passed from parent · parental inheritance

A reported genetic change passed from a biological parent to their child.

LLoss of function (LoF)Also searched as: LoF · truncating · nonsense · frameshift · stop gain

A molecular consequence expected to reduce or disrupt normal gene product, subject to transcript, position, and variant-specific interpretation.

MMissense variantAlso searched as: amino acid substitution · protein change

A sequence change that replaces one amino acid with another.

Molecular result recordedAlso searched as: exact variant recorded · genetic result · exact molecular result

An exact molecular result is recorded in the information available to this project.

NNonsense-mediated decay (NMD)Also searched as: NMD · RNA surveillance

A cellular RNA-surveillance process that can reduce transcripts containing certain premature stop signals.

OOriginal clinical or laboratory recordAlso searched as: clinical report · lab report

A direct report, laboratory result, imaging study, EEG, examination, or other primary clinical source.

Original record availableAlso searched as: original clinical record · laboratory report

At least one relevant original clinical or laboratory record is available for that person and clinical area.

PPenetranceAlso searched as: chance of showing a feature · feature risk

The proportion of people with a defined genotype who meet a clearly defined phenotype under adequate ascertainment.

Permission or consent informationAlso searched as: permission · consent · publication approval

Documented permission, consent, or publication approval that determines whether information may be used or published.

PhenotypeAlso searched as: clinical features · observable traits

Observable or measurable characteristics, functions, diagnoses, and clinical findings.

Photo, video, or audioAlso searched as: video · photo · audio · media

Video, photograph, audio, or other visible material that may support review when its context is clear and the person or family has agreed it may be used.

Protein position for comparisonAlso searched as: protein position · positioned variant · protein map

A molecular result whose stated reference and amino-acid position support comparison on a specified protein coordinate system.

RResearch question or hypothesisAlso searched as: hypothesis · interpretation · research question

A proposed explanation or testable research question kept separate from observations and measurements.

SSET domainAlso searched as: catalytic domain · methyltransferase domain

The catalytic protein region central to ASH1L histone-methyltransferase activity.

State-dependent accessAlso searched as: variable access · skill comes and goes · fluctuating function

A working description for a demonstrated ability that is not expressed reliably across different body, brain, task, or environmental states.

TTranscriptAlso searched as: reference sequence · isoform · RefSeq

The RNA reference sequence used to describe a genetic change and derive its cDNA and protein consequence.

VVariable expressivityAlso searched as: different severity · heterogeneous presentation · variability

Differences in which features appear, their degree, timing, or impact among people with a related genetic condition.

Variant of uncertain significance (VUS)Also searched as: VUS · uncertain variant · unclear genetic result

A laboratory classification used when current evidence is insufficient or conflicting.

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