PBL SCENARIO

Task 1

ScienceDaily (Mar. 16, 2006) — Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have discovered the mechanism that facilitates how two ion channels collaborate in the control of electrical signals in the brain. The investigators showed that the channels were anchored by a third protein at key locations on the nerve cell surface, allowing them to work together to set the timing and pattern of nerve impulses. They also found that this channel partnership mechanism is present in all vertebrates, but is lacking in invertebrates, suggesting that the coupling of these channels may be essential for the higher abilities of vertebrate brains. The elucidation of this novel interaction should aid efforts to develop new treatments for epileptic seizures, pain, and abnormal muscle movements. Electrical impulses in neurons are created when these ions are allowed to return to their original locations by passing rapidly through channels in nerve cells' outer membranes.

As a neurologist, how would you explain two ion channels collaborate in the control of electrical signals in the brain?

Task 2

Table 1 show the duration of different type of medicine to recover certain illness at Tanjong Malim pharmacy. As a pharmacist, how would you choose a better medicine to cure the illness.

Illness - Types of medicine - Duration recover

Headache - Panadol activefast - 30 minutes
Headache - Ponstan (200 mg) - 15 minutes
Sedative - Diazepam (1 mg) - 2 minute
Sedative - Propofol - 5 minute
Back pain - Voltaren SR 100 - 15 minutes
Back pain - Ponstan (200 mg) - 15 minutes

Brainstorm question

1) Why does sedative types of medicine have shorter duration compared to others type of medicine?
2) How would medicine affect the function of neurotransmitter?

Task 3

Ravi is good in academic and co-curriculum. He is a very talkative person, and always been chosen in school debate and forum. In addition, he is the best student in his batch and at the same time, he is also a leader for his school football team. Last week, when he was back from football practice, he involved in a road accident with a severe head injured. He was coma in hospital for one week. His mother worries whether the accident will affect his ability to speak and hear. On the other hand, his football coach and teammates worried about his performance in the coming football match. His teacher concerned about his performance in academic.

As an Animal Physiology undergraduate student, what your justification about his condition that occur in his central nervous system.