Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description
Regulation and Health of Human Bodily Functions
Course Code
VPUPK_300
Branch of Science
Clinical medicine
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 Psychology
Contacts
Riga, Dzirciema Street 16, psik@rsu.lv, +37167061587
About Study Course
Objective
To provide students with an opportunity to acquire knowledge of the principles of physiological regulation and homeostasis, the mechanisms of neural, endocrine, and immune regulation and their interactions, as well as to understand the relationships between psychological factors, stress, physiological processes, and health, and the physiological rationale underlying health-promoting interventions.
Preliminary Knowledge
Biological basis of psyche, psychophysiology, neuropsychology.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
1.Describe and explain the principles of regulation of body functions and homeostasis, as well as the mechanisms of neural, endocrine and immune regulation;
Individual work and tests
Final Exam - Case Study
2.Explain the interplay between the nervous, endocrine and immune systems and the relationship between psychological factors and stress with physiological processes and health;
Individual work and tests
Final Exam - Case Study
3.Describe the basic principles of psychoneuroimmunology and the physiological basis for health-promoting psychological, lifestyle and pharmacological interventions.
Individual work and tests
Final Exam - Case Study • Psychoneuroimmunology portfolio
Skills
1.Analyses and interprets the interplay of physiological and psychological factors in various health-related situations;
Individual work and tests
Psychoneuroimmunology portfolio • Self-reflection on stress management methods
2.Identify and analyse the regulatory systems involved in a given case and their mechanisms of action;
Individual work and tests
Psychoneuroimmunology portfolio • Final Exam - Case Study
3.Use scientific literature and observation or physiological data to support conclusions about the regulatory processes of an organism and health.
Individual work and tests
Psychoneuroimmunology portfolio
Competences
1.Integrate knowledge of neural, endocrine and immune regulatory mechanisms by analysing the interrelationship between psychological factors and physiological processes in the context of health;
Individual work and tests
Final Exam - Case Study • Psychoneuroimmunology portfolio
2.Assess and justify the appropriateness of health-promoting interventions based on their physiological mechanisms of action and scientific evidence;
Individual work and tests
Final Exam - Case Study • Psychoneuroimmunology portfolio
3.Formulate and argue justified conclusions and recommendations on the regulation of body functions in specific health-related situations.
Individual work and tests
Psychoneuroimmunology portfolio • Final Exam - Case Study
Assessment
Individual work
|
Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Psychoneuroimmunology portfolio |
50.00% from total grade
|
10 points
|
|
Students prepare a psychoneuroimmunology portfolio in which they analyse a real or modelled health-related case or observation, linking it to the regulatory mechanisms of the body covered in the course. The analysis uses observation or physiological data and scientific literature, and justifies possible health-promoting interventions. |
||
|
2.
Self-reflection on stress management methods |
10.00% from total grade
|
Test
|
|
Students prepare a self-reflection on the stress management methods learned in practical classes and practiced individually. The work briefly describes the methods used, analyzes their experience in practicing them, and formulates conclusions about their possible role in coping with stress and promoting health. |
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Examination
|
Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Final Exam - Case Study |
40.00% from total grade
|
10 points
|
|
Students analyse a health-related case in writing, explaining the body function regulation mechanisms involved, including homeostasis, neuroendocrine and immune regulation processes. Students supplement the regulation mechanism scheme and offer scientifically justified interventions, explaining their physiological basis. |
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Study Course Theme Plan
FULL-TIME
Part 1
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Regulation of body functions and health
Description
Homeostasis and health. Types of regulation of body functions. Interaction of physiological and psychological functions. |
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Regulation of body functions and health
Description
Homeostasis and health. Types of regulation of body functions. Interaction of physiological and psychological functions. |
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Neural regulation
Description
Central and peripheral nervous system. Neurotransmitters and neuromodulators. |
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Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Psychopharmacology
Description
Subject and history of psychopharmacology. Pharmacokinetics. Tolerance and sensitization. Sites of action of substances. Placebo. Groups of medications, their effects and side effects. |
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Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Immune regulation and psychoneuroimmunology
Description
Genetic homeostasis of the organism and its risks. Mechanisms of immunity. Factors influencing the immune system. Immunoprophylaxis. Disorders of the immune system. Basic principles of psychoneuroimmunology. |
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Psychoneuroendocrine regulation
Description
Neuroendocrine system. Interactions between the nervous system, the endocrine system and behavior. |
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Principles of organismal regulation and application of psychoneuroimmunology
Description
Interactions between neural, endocrine and immune regulation. Stress responses and psychoneuroimmunological mechanisms, their role in health and disease development. Adaptation to stress, stress perception and the hormesis principle. Stress reduction and health promotion interventions based on psychoneuroimmunology. |
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Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Principles of organismal regulation and application of psychoneuroimmunology
Description
Interactions between neural, endocrine and immune regulation. Stress responses and psychoneuroimmunological mechanisms, their role in health and disease development. Adaptation to stress, stress perception and the hormesis principle. Stress reduction and health promotion interventions based on psychoneuroimmunology. |
-
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.
|
-
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.
|
-
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.
|
-
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.
|
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.