Skip to main content

Regulation and Health of Human Bodily Functions

Study Course Description

Course Description Statuss:Approved
Course Description Version:6.00
Study Course Accepted:26.08.2024 09:00:15
Study Course Information
Course Code:VPUPK_300LQF level:Level 7
Credit Points:2.00ECTS:3.00
Branch of Science:Clinical Medicine; Health CareTarget Audience:Psychology
Study Course Supervisor
Course Supervisor:Agnese Ušacka
Study Course Implementer
Structural Unit:Department of Health Psychology and Paedagogy
The Head of Structural Unit:
Contacts:Riga, 5 J. Asara Street, vppkatrsu[pnkts]lv, +37167061587
Study Course Planning
Full-Time - Semester No.1
Lectures (count)8Lecture Length (academic hours)2Total Contact Hours of Lectures16
Classes (count)4Class Length (academic hours)2Total Contact Hours of Classes8
Total Contact Hours24
Study course description
Preliminary Knowledge:
Biological basis of psyche, neuropsychology.
Objective:
To create an opportunity to learn the functions of regulation of body functions and health, the role of the central nervous system in ensuring the unity of functional functioning of the body and mechanisms of homeostasis, increasing stress on body functions and health, as well as psychological help to overcome stress.
Topic Layout (Full-Time)
No.TopicType of ImplementationNumberVenue
1Regulation of body functions and health. Homeostasis and health. Types of regulation of body functions. Interaction of physiological and psychic functions.Lectures2.00auditorium
2Neural regulation. Central and peripheral nervous system. Neurotransmitters and neuromodulators.Lectures2.00auditorium
3Immune regulation. Genetic homeostasis of the organism and its risks. Immunity mechanisms. Factors affecting the immune system. Immunoprophylaxis. Immune system disorders. Basic principles of psychoneuroimmunology.Lectures1.00auditorium
4Impact of psycho neuro on the endocrine. Neuroendocrine system. Nervous system – interaction of endocrine system and behaviour.Lectures1.00auditorium
5Effect of stress on body functions and health. Adaptation to stress. Stress reduction interventions.Lectures0.00auditorium
Classes4.00auditorium
6Clinical psychopharmacotherapy: groups of medications used in psychiatry, their registered and unregistered indications, contraindications, most common side effects and withdrawal symptoms.Lectures2.00auditorium
Assessment
Unaided Work:
Students will need to write a 2,000-word paper on an independently chosen topic related to the material covered in the study course as one of their assessments. Students will also need to participate actively in the practical classes. Based on the learned stress management methods, students will practice them individually and make notes about their experiences. This experience must be synthesized into a unified reflection. Finally, students must independently prepare for the final exam. In order to evaluate the quality of the study course as a whole, the student must fill out the study course evaluation questionnaire on the Student Portal.
Assessment Criteria:
1. Students will write a paper on a specific topic of Psychoneuroimmunology (60% of the final grade); 2. Students must present a reflection based on individual experience, practicing the stress management methods learned in the course (pass); 4. Final exam - a multiple-choice test of 80 questions (40% of the final grade). According to RSU Study Regulations I 3.9. point, class attendance is mandatory and is recorded. At the end of each lesson, the student additionally submits a worksheet filled in according to the criteria indicated in the e-environment and, if the criteria are met, receives the grade "passed".
Final Examination (Full-Time):Exam (Written)
Final Examination (Part-Time):
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge:Students describe the basic principles of psychoneuroimmunology, the effects of stress on body functions and health, explain the basic principles of neuroscience, systematise the body's functions and health, evaluate the role of the central nervous system in ensuring the functional integrity of the body and mechanisms of homeostasis. Describe stress management interventions.
Skills:Students reasonably discuss the regulation of body functions and health, the role of the central nervous system in ensuring the unity of the body's functional functioning, theoretical approaches to psychoneuroimmunology and recent research in the field of neuroscience. Apply stress reduction strategies.
Competencies:Students explain the basic principles of psychoneuroimmunology, the effects of stress on body functions and health.
Bibliography
No.Reference
Required Reading
1Purves, D., Augustine, G. J., Fitzpatrick, D., Hall, W., LaMantia, A. S., & White, L. (2019). Neurosciences. De Boeck Supérieur.
2Amthor, F., Theibert, W. A. B., Standaert, D. G., & Roberson, E. (2020). Essentials of Modern Neuroscience. McGraw Hill Professional.
3Holt, E. H., Lupsa, B., Lee, G. S., Bassyouni, H., & Peery, H. E. (2021). Goodman's basic medical endocrinology. Academic Press.
4Male, D. (2021). Immunology: an illustrated outline. CRC Press.
5Stahl, S. M. (2021). Stahl's essential psychopharmacology: neuroscientific basis and practical applications. Cambridge university press.
6María Dolores P-R, Gilberto P-S, Oscar R-E, Patricia A-P, M Iván G#x02010;P, Lenin P-R, Enrique B-V. NeuroImmuno Endocrinology: a brief historic narrative. J Leukoc Biol. 2022; 112: 97–114.
Additional Reading
1Moraes LJ; Miranda MB; Loures LF; Mainieri AG; Mármora CHC. (2018). A systematic review of psychoneuroimmunology-based interventions. Psych., Health & Medicine. 2018 Jul; Vol. 23 (6), pp. 635-652; Publisher: Routledge; PMID: 29262731, Database: MEDLINE
2Straub RH; Cutolo M. (2018). Psychoneuroimmunology-developments in stress research. Wiener Medizinische Wochenschrift. Mar; Vol. 168 (3-4), pp. 76-84; Publisher: Springer Verlag; PMID: 28600777, Database: MEDLINE Complete
3Sherer ML; Posillico CK; Schwarz JM. (2018). The psychoneuroimmunology of pregnancy. Frontiers In Neuroendocrinology [Front Neuroendocrinol], ISSN: 1095-6808, 2018 Oct; Vol. 51, pp. 25-35; Publisher: Academic Press; PMID: 29110974, Database: MEDLINE
4Cassidy, T. (2011). Stress, Cognition and Health. Routledge.
5Sanderson, C. A. (2013). Health Psychology. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
6Sarafino, E.P. (2012). Health Psychology. Biopsychosocial Interactions. Willey&Sons.
Other Information Sources
1Farb, N.A., Anderson, A.K, & Segal, Z.V. (2012). The Mindful Brain and Emotion Regulation in Mood Disorders.
2Fishbein, D., Warner, T., Krebs, C., Trevarthen, N., Flannery, B., & Hammond, J. (2009). Differential relationships between personal and community stressors and children’s neurocognitive functioning. Child Maltreat, 14,299–315.
3Hedges, W.H., Woon, F.L. (2011). Early-life stress and cognitive outcome. Psychopharmacology, 214:121–130.
4Mars, T.,S., & Abbey, H. (2010). Mindfulness meditation practice as a healthcare intervention: A systematic review. International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine, 13, 56–66.