Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description
Regulation and Health of Human Bodily Functions
Course Code
VPUPK_300
Branch of Science
Clinical medicine; Health care sciences and services
ECTS
3.00
Target Audience
Psychology
LQF
Level 7
Study Type And Form
Full-Time
Study Course Implementer
Course Supervisor
Agnese Ušacka
Structure Unit Manager
Kristīne Mārtinsone
Structural Unit
Department of Health Psychology and Paedagogy
Contacts
Riga, Dzirciema Street 16, vppk@rsu.lv, +37167061587
About Study Course
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.
Preliminary Knowledge
Biological basis of psyche, neuropsychology.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
1.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
1.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.
Competences
1.Students explain the basic principles of psychoneuroimmunology, the effects of stress on body functions and health.
Assessment
Individual work
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Title
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% from total grade
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Grade
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1.
Individual work |
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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.
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Examination
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Title
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% from total grade
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Grade
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1.
Examination |
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-
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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".
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Study Course Theme Plan
FULL-TIME
Part 1
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Regulation of body functions and health. Homeostasis and health. Types of regulation of body functions. Interaction of physiological and psychic functions.
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-
Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Regulation of body functions and health. Homeostasis and health. Types of regulation of body functions. Interaction of physiological and psychic functions.
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-
Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Neural regulation. Central and peripheral nervous system. Neurotransmitters and neuromodulators.
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Neural regulation. Central and peripheral nervous system. Neurotransmitters and neuromodulators.
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Immune regulation. Genetic homeostasis of the organism and its risks. Immunity mechanisms. Factors affecting the immune system. Immunoprophylaxis. Immune system disorders. Basic principles of psychoneuroimmunology.
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Impact of psycho neuro on the endocrine. Neuroendocrine system. Nervous system – interaction of endocrine system and behaviour.
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Effect of stress on body functions and health. Adaptation to stress. Stress reduction interventions.
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-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
|
Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Effect of stress on body functions and health. Adaptation to stress. Stress reduction interventions.
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-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Effect of stress on body functions and health. Adaptation to stress. Stress reduction interventions.
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-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Effect of stress on body functions and health. Adaptation to stress. Stress reduction interventions.
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-
Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Clinical psychopharmacotherapy: groups of medications used in psychiatry, their registered and unregistered indications, contraindications, most common side effects and withdrawal symptoms.
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Clinical psychopharmacotherapy: groups of medications used in psychiatry, their registered and unregistered indications, contraindications, most common side effects and withdrawal symptoms.
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Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
24 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam (Written)
Bibliography
Required Reading
1.
Rezaei, N., & Yazdanpanah, N. (Eds.). (2023). PsychoNeuroImmunology: Volume 1: Integration of Psychology, Neurology, and Immunology. Springer Nature.
2.
Rezaei, N., & Yazdanpanah, N. (Eds.). (2025). PsychoNeuroImmunology: Volume 2: Interdisciplinary Approaches to Diseases (Vol. 31). Springer Nature.
3.
Purves, D., Augustine, G. J., Fitzpatrick, D., Hall, W., LaMantia, A. S., & White, L. (2019). Neurosciences. De Boeck Supérieur.
4.
Amthor, F., Theibert, W. A. B., Standaert, D. G., & Roberson, E. (2020). Essentials of Modern Neuroscience. McGraw Hill Professional.
5.
Holt, E. H., Lupsa, B., Lee, G. S., Bassyouni, H., & Peery, H. E. (2021). Goodman's basic medical endocrinology. Academic Press.
6.
Male, D. (2021). Immunology: an illustrated outline. CRC Press.
7.
Stahl, S. M. (2021). Stahl's essential psychopharmacology: neuroscientific basis and practical applications. Cambridge university press.
8.
María 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
1.
Moraes 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
2.
Straub 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
3.
Sherer 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
4.
Cassidy, T. (2011). Stress, Cognition and Health. Routledge.
5.
Sanderson, C. A. (2013). Health Psychology. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
6.
Sarafino, E.P. (2012). Health Psychology. Biopsychosocial Interactions. Willey&Sons.
Other Information Sources
1.
Farb, N.A., Anderson, A.K, & Segal, Z.V. (2012). The Mindful Brain and Emotion Regulation in Mood Disorders.
2.
Fishbein, 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.
3.
Hedges, W.H., Woon, F.L. (2011). Early-life stress and cognitive outcome. Psychopharmacology, 214:121–130.
4.
Mars, T.,S., & Abbey, H. (2010). Mindfulness meditation practice as a healthcare intervention: A systematic review. International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine, 13, 56–66.