To spark student interests in learning physiological concepts, this investigation focuses on an active form of health care and a treatment which is not fully understood. Students will learn that medical care is continuously evolving from evidence based practice and scientific understanding. Studying the potential mechanisms of the pharmacological actions on physiological function may lead to developing a more precise mechanistic understanding that can lead to more precise treatments, which students might propose. Utilizing the primary research literature, fundamental physiological concepts, and client outcomes from case studies, the current module provides materials for instructors to construct a teaching and learning module based on the content provided. In this regard, the mystifying actions of how 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) helps to alleviate some of the rigidity and movement of limbs in clients with multiple sclerosis (MS) is explored. It is well established that 4-AP blocks a subset of voltage gated potassium (K+) channels, but it is somewhat counterintuitive how this promotes better locomotive movements. The mechanisms of action from clinical doses may be more related to the physiological changes that occur due to the progression of MS or even by actions on other cells besides neurons, leading to the secondary action on neurons. With the use of inexpensive electrophysiological instruments (i.e., Backyard Brains) nerve recordings of invertebrate nerves will be recorded while exposed to 4-AP to directly observe the effects on electrical activity. In this module, multiple physiological concepts are used to construct mechanistic explanations of the phenomenon. The learning objectives are to: (1) cover the basic neurophysiological principles of electrical signals, synaptic transmission, and pharmacological actions of ion channels; (2) demonstrate the disease process of MS, and (3) address scientific literacy developed from a review of research studies on the phenomenon. These exercises are fitting for a CURE teaching format.
Keywords: invertebrate, neurophysiology, Inquiry-based learning, neurobiology, medical
University of Victoria (2022)
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