Psychoneuroendocrinoimmunology and Integrated Care
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students with knowledge related to the science of complexity and integrated care according to a PNEI approach, and related to the connections between micro and macro systems in maintaining and promoting health, preventing and treating disease. The educational objectives of the course are: - to provide knowledge about the different regulatory systems of the body - to provide knowledge about the connection between the different regulatory systems - to provide knowledge about modulators of body function - to provide knowledge about the relationship between the functioning of regulatory systems and the development of various organic and mental pathologies.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, students will: - have acquired knowledge of the main regulatory systems of the body; - have developed the ability to reason about the connections between regulatory systems and their implications for health maintenance, disease development, and rehabilitation; - have acquired the ability to interpret experimental data on disease predictors and maintenance factors in relation to theoretical frameworks; - be able to describe modulators of body function; - be able to apply integrated science theory in the analysis and evaluation of cases.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Course syllabus
The first part of the teaching will be devoted to the study of the major systems that contribute to the definition of the organism, in particular the interaction the connections between the nervous, endocrine, and immune systems and the psyche. The second part will address the main factors modulating the connections between the systems and the impact on aging, inflammation and disease, and an introduction to the epigenetic mechanisms underlying the development of organic and mental diseases. The third part will be devoted to the study of an integrated health and disease analysis model.
Prerequisites for admission
None
Teaching methods
The course consists of lectures and integrative teaching activities such as problem-based learning, group work, and case analysis.
Teaching Resources
Bottaccioli F. e Bottaccioli AG. Fondamenti di Psiconeuroendocrinoimmulogia. Introduzione alla scienza che studia le relazioni mente-corpo. (2022) Red! Bottaccioli, A. G., e Bottaccioli, F. (2023, June). Epigenetica e psiconeuroendocrinoimmunologia: le due facce della rivoluzione in corso nelle scienze della vita. Edra. Papers presented during lessons.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Assessment takes place through a written final test, composed of both multiple-choice and open-ended questions. Multiple-choice questions allow to verify learning of specific theoretical models. Open-ended questions allow to verify the understanding and knowledge of specific areas of the discipline, and the reasoning ability upon the learned models (autonomy of judgment).
Professor(s)