71991 - Clinical Psychophysiology I .

Academic Year 2017/2018

  • Docente: Giovanni Andrea Fava
  • Credits: 6
  • SSD: M-PSI/08
  • Language: Italian
  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
  • Campus: Cesena
  • Corso: Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Clinical psychology (cod. 0990)

Learning outcomes

The aim of this course is to develop in the students a basic knowledge regarding neurobiological mechanisms of mental disorders and their treatment.

Course contents

 

Basic anatomy and physiology of both central and peripheral nervous systems. Neurogenesis. Basic physiology of chemical neurotransmission and neuromodulation, synaptic plasticity. Synaptic transmission, synaptic receptors and intracellular signal transduction pathways as pharmacological targets. Receptors classifications and biochemical properties: agonists and antagonists, allosteric interactions and modulations. Basic mechanisms of learning, memory and cognitive activity and their pharmacological regulation.


The study of clinical psychophysiology includes: the physiological correlates of mental disorders. Historical and metodological aspects. The neurobiological revolution.

 

Stress and allostatic load. Elements of psychoneuroendocrinology. Hypothalamic-pituitary-surrenal axis. Elements of psychoimmunoendocrinology.

 

The multifactorial approach to disorders in medicine and psychiatry. Principles of psychosomatic medicine. Somatization, illness behavior and quality of life. The role of psychosocial factors in medical diseases.

Psychophysiological effects of therapies in medicine and psychiatry. Aspects of control and randomization.Specific and non specific therapeutic factors. Placebo's psychophysiology.

 

The structure of the controlled study. How to interpret a scientific study in clinical sciences.

 

Elements of clinical psychopharmacology (anxiolytics, antidepressants, lithium, antipsychotic drugs). Cellular and receptorial mechanisms of psychotropic drugs. Mechanisms of sensitization and resistance.

 

Psychophysiological modifications in psychotherapy. Principles of psychotherapeutic intervention. The scientific evidence in psychotherapy. Psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy and neurotransmitters. Behavioral medicine.

 

Clinical psychophysiology of schizophrenia, mood, anxiety, somatoform, cognitive and eating disorders.

 

The course will take place during the first semester (from October to November 2017) at the Cesena Campus of the School of Psychology and Education.

Readings/Bibliography

Essential textbook.

Stahl S: Stahl’s Essential Psychopharmacology. Neuroscientific basis and clinical applications. Fourth edition. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2013, Chapters: 4-9.



Additional readings:

Fava G.A., Sonino N., Wise T.N., The psychosomatic assessment. Basel, Karger, 2012.

Teaching methods

Lectures with clinical cases exemplifications

Assessment methods

The final evaluation will consist in a written exam with open ended questions aimed to assess the student's knowledge regarding the topics included in the textbook and discussed in class (neurobiological mechanisms of mental disorders and their treatment).

Teaching tools

Slides, PC, slide projector, overhead projector.

Links to further information

http://servizi.psice.unibo.it/docenti/

Office hours

See the website of Giovanni Andrea Fava