Neuroscience of Health: Between Disorders and Well-being 2401-K/P-MF-NZZD

In 2014, a new discipline was proposed, the neuroscience of health, which includes the extension of the definition of health (usually the absence of disease and pain) to limit or exclude various types of risk factors (physiological, social, cognitive or emotional). The brain is in the center of attention, but in the outline of basic mechanisms and conceptualizations it is included as influencing and being influenced and as an element of top-down mechanisms, but also bottom-up, taking into account the influence of context and the basis in the individual genetic base and life history. The brain as an outcome, mediator and predictor. After 6 years, in 2020, there is a proposal (health neuroscience 2.0) to include in this discipline the integration of social, cognitive and affective neurosciences, which are developing largely autonomously. At the same time, this step broadens the definition of health to include wider consideration of socio-cultural factors. The next step is the author's proposal to show the neuroscience of health 3.0, due to the characteristics of the latest approach to brain research - the inside out approach (after Buzsaki). The proposal includes a comprehensive approach to the nervous system (central and autonomic – especially the proposal of Lisa Feldman Barrett regarding emotions) and a predictive approach (in the version of Friston and Hohwy with the proposal of a hierarchical approach to homeostasis and allostasis), and consequently computational neuroscience and medicine. personalized (especially in the version referring to the embodiment). Health is understood here, after Peter Sterling, as related to allostatic-interoceptive regulation and expresses responsiveness as the ability to adapt. Two models of health neuroscience are integrated: the physical activity model (Erickson) and the allostasis model. In this case, allostatic-interoceptive regulation as well as allostasis and interoception becomes very important for this approach to health.

Total student workload

Hours carried out with the participation of teachers (hours): - participation in lectures - 30 hours - consultations with an academic teacher - 15 Time devoted to individual student work (hours): - preparation for the lecture - 15 - reading literature - 15 - preparation for the exam in the form of a presentation - 15 Total: 90 hours (3 ECTS)

Learning outcomes - knowledge

The student knows and understands the phenomena and biological processes underlying cognitive processes in relation to health - K_W06 The student knows and understands the structure and functions of the human body in the field of neurology and neurobiology, the causes of selected disorders and lesions, as well as social dysfunctions and methods of their assessment - K_W08

Learning outcomes - skills

The student is able to model cognitive processes and use modern technologies to study them, especially in the field of using artificial intelligence in medicine - K_U02 The student is able to conclude from the results obtained using appropriate research methods about knowledge in the field of cognitive, social and affective neuroscience in relation to health issues - K_U06 The student is able to formulate problems regarding the imaging of the structure and function of the human brain in relation to the regulation of the entire nervous system - K_U08 The student is able to use the knowledge and methods of cognitive science in the analysis of cognitive disorders, indicating the role of many disciplines in determining human health - K_U10

Learning outcomes - social competencies

The student is ready to recognize the acquired knowledge as a tool for solving cognitive problems and to consult experts on the possibilities of solving health problems - K_K02 The student is ready to responsibly participate in social life, knowing that it is an important dimension of shaping human health - K_K04

Teaching methods

Informative lecture (conventional) and problem lecture.

Expository teaching methods

- informative (conventional) lecture
- problem-based lecture

Type of course

elective course

Prerequisites

General knowledge of the biological basis of behavior, the basis of neuroscience in relation to the central and autonomic nervous system.

Course coordinators

Tomasz Komendziński

Practical placement

not applicable

Bibliography

1.Barrett F. L., Seven and a half lessons about the brain, , 2020
2. Buzsaki G., The Brain from Inside Out, Oxford University Press, 2019
3. Erickson KI, Creswell JD, Verstynen TD, Gianaros PJ. Health Neuroscience: Defining a New Field. Curr Dir Psychol Sci. 2014 Dec;23(6):446-453. doi: 10.1177/0963721414549350
4. Inagaki TK., Health neuroscience 2.0: integration with social, cognitive and affective neuroscience. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci. 2020 Nov 10;15(10):1017-1023)
5. Sterling P., What is Health? Allostasis and the Evolution of Human Design, MIT Press 2020
6. Tsakiris M., De Preester H., Interoceptive Mind. From Homeostasis to Awareness, Oxford University Press 2019

Detailed literature on particular topics will be made available in class.

Additional information

Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system:

Description of 2401-K/P-MF-NZZD in USOSweb