- Docente: Giovanni Andrea Fava
- Credits: 4
- 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
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. Specific and non specific therapeutic factors. Placebo's psychophysiology. 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.
Readings/Bibliography
Essential textbook.
Psicofarmacologia essenziale: basi neuroscientifiche e applicazioni
pratiche, 2. ed., Torino: Centro Scientifico Editore, 2002
(2. ed.).Chapters: 1-5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12
Additional readings:
Schiffer D: Attraverso il microscopio. Neuroscienze e basi
del ragionamento clinico. Milano, Springer, 2011.
Ariatta M.C., Sonino N., Stress cronico ed effetti sul sistema
endocrino, Bologna: Patron, 1991.
Fava G.A., Il trattamento delle fobie, Bologna: Patron, 1988.
Bear M.F., Connors B.W., e Paradiso M.A., Neuroscienze: esplorando
il cervello, Milano: Masson, 2002.
Fava G.A., Freyberger H., Handbook of psychosomatic medicine,
Madison: International Universities Press, 1998.
Biondi M., Mente, cervello e sistema immunitario, Milano:
McGraw-Hill, 1997.
Morrison J., Disturbi psichici e malattie organiche, Milano:
McGraw-Hill, 1998.
Teaching methods
Lectures with clinical cases exemplifications
Assessment methods
The final evaluation will consist in a written exam with test and open ended questions aimed to assess the student's knowledge regarding the topics included in the textbook and discussed in class.
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