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.
- 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.
- BaselineAlso searched as: usual function · reliable starting point · T0
The person’s defined usual function and context before a change or comparison window.
- ChromatinAlso searched as: epigenetics · DNA packaging · gene regulation
DNA together with associated proteins and chemical marks that help regulate genome organization and gene activity.
- Closed denominatorAlso searched as: reconciled total · complete count
A total whose mutually exclusive states account for the complete eligible group, such as information available plus information not recorded equaling all 61 connected people.
- Co-findingAlso searched as: additional finding · second variant · co-contributor
Another molecular or clinical finding retained because it may affect interpretation of a record.
- Connected peopleAlso searched as: 61 people · community records · cohort
The 61 people and families whose information is currently represented in group-level summaries on this site.
- Contact or permission informationAlso searched as: permission · consent · contact record
Consent, contact, source ownership, translation, or sharing status.
- 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.
- De 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.
- Familial clusterAlso searched as: related participants · family cluster · pedigree control
Records from related people are linked so relatives are not treated as independent recurrence events.
- Family-observed historyAlso searched as: caregiver observation · family report
Caregiver-observed 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.
- H3K36Also 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.
- Information availableAlso searched as: information present · data available · records reviewed
The reviewed records contain some information relevant to a defined field or clinical area.
- InheritedAlso searched as: familial · passed from parent
The reported change is also detected in a biological parent or linked family member under the laboratory’s testing framework.
- IRB / research ethics reviewAlso searched as: IRB · ethics approval · human subjects
Institutional review and oversight for research involving people, data, or biospecimens under applicable rules.
- Load, state & recoveryAlso searched as: state change · T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 · recovery curve
A structured sequence linking context or load, an observable event, time-matched measurement, action, and return toward baseline.
- Loss 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.
- Missense 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.
- Nonsense-mediated decay (NMD)Also searched as: NMD · RNA surveillance
A cellular RNA-surveillance process that can reduce transcripts containing certain premature stop signals.
- Not recordedAlso searched as: missing information · not reported · blank field
The reviewed records do not contain an answer for that field or clinical area.
- Original 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.
- PenetranceAlso 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.
- 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 context and permission are established.
- Research question or hypothesisAlso searched as: hypothesis · interpretation · research question
A proposed explanation or testable research question kept separate from observations and measurements.
- SET 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.
- TranscriptAlso searched as: reference sequence · isoform · RefSeq
The RNA reference sequence used to describe a genetic change and derive its cDNA and protein consequence.
- Usable protein positionAlso searched as: protein position · positioned variant · protein map
A record with a usable protein consequence eligible for amino-acid position, domain, and exact-recurrence analysis.
- Variable 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.