The Mysterious Case of Patient X: A Case Study for Neuroscience Students

Abstract

The Mysterious Case of Patient X is adapted from an actual clinical case of a famous American writer whose symptoms initially presented as Parkinson's disease. His complex medical history challenges students to investigate alternative diagnoses. Students confront the complexity of biomedical systems from the molecular and cellular processes that underlie neuronal degeneration to the organization and integration of brain regions that control the symptoms of disease. The case is written for upper-level undergraduate or beginning graduate students in biology or neuroscience but could be adapted for introductory neuroscience courses.

Keywords: Parkinson’s Disease; case study; collaborative learning; dopamine; neuroanatomy; parkinsonism; project-based learning.

Figure 1

A. Pre-assessment survey asked students to rate their experience on a scale from no experience (1) to extensive experience (5). B. For the first two items, students were asked on a post-assessment survey to rate how much experience they gained on a scale from no gain (1) to very large gain (5). For the third item, students were asked to rate their agreement with the statement on a scale from strongly disagree (1) to strongly agree (5).

Figure 2

Sample student comments.