Available online
Description
The programme looks at how a mathematical model can help in obtaining the best results from a drug used to treat asthma.
The programme looks at how a mathematical model can help in obtaining the best results from a drug used to treat asthma.
| Module code and title: | M101, Mathematics: a foundation course |
|---|---|
| Item code: | M101; 22 |
| First transmission date: | 12-08-1978 |
| Published: | 1978 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:24:30 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | David Saunders |
| Contributors: | Jeffrey Aronson; Stewart Gartside; O.(Oliver) Penrose |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | Drugs; Theophylline; Therapeutic |
| Footage description: | Stewart Gartside introduces the programme which concerns the development of a mathematical model for measuring the effectiveness of a drug theophylline. Dr Jeffrey Aronson discusses the uses of theophylline and the need to give the best dosage. The effect of the drug depends on its concentration in the plasma. Its effectiveness is measured by taking the patients peak flow rate of breathing. There is a relationship between peak flow rate and plasma concentration between the concentrations of 5 and 20 mg per litre. Stewart Gartside states that there is a simple relationship between concentration, quantity and volume. Aronson points out some of the problems involved in building up the model. He needs a model which can express the relationship between plasma concentration and time, so that he can calculate the initial dosage and when to give a further dose of the drug. Stewart now revises his model to include the time variable but still needs further revision to allow for rates of change. Professor Oliver Penrose now develops this model, based upon input-output principles, by setting up a differential equation which is a mathematical formulation of the time dependent problem. Stewart Gartside shows that the solution of the equation is the same as the exponential law of decay. He then compares the results with those of the real world. This is made simpler by the use of exponential logarithms. The resulting curve matches very closely the results of Dr Aronson's experiments. Dr Aronson suggests that in fact an intravenous infusion would be much more convenient method of giving the drug. This would involve only a slight change to the model. |
| Master spool number: | 6HT/72609 |
| Production number: | 00525_4260 |
| Videofinder number: | 2482 |
| Available to public: | no |
