Learning objectives
Psychobiological framing of issues related to food, nutrition and stress
Prerequisites
None
Course unit content
Psychobiological approach to nutrition and stress
Full programme
I) Physiology of eating behavior
Feeding and Nutrition. Introduction to Biochemistry. Nutrients: Macronutrients, Micronutrients and Water. Anatomy and physiology of the digestive system. Digestion and absorption of nutrients. Bioenergetics. Malnutrition in excess and defect. Clinical Nutrition.
II) Introduction to Psychobiology and Psychophysiology
Psychobiology and its relations with other Neuroscience. Introduction to Anatomy of the nervous system. The development of the nervous system. Nerve conduction and synaptic transmission. The endocrine and neuroendocrine system: anatomy and physiology.
III) Psychobiology of eating behavior
Why do we eat?, Neurondocrin regulation of eating behavior. The Hypothalamus enteric axys. Neurotransmitters and hormones regulating energy balance. Hunger, appetite and satiety. The specific sense of satiety. The limbic system and the hedonistic component of feeding. Influence of serotonin on eating behavior and mood. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axys, stress and its involvement in eating behavior. Socio-cultural influences on eating behavior. Overview of genetics of eating behavior. The eating disorders.
Bibliography
Pinel (2007) “Psicobiologia” Introdution and chapters 1, 2 and 3. Ed Il Mulino - Bologna
Innocenti A (2013) “Principi di nutrizione umana” Ed Esculapio - Bologna
Innocenti A e Pruneti C (2012) “Principi di Psicobiologia della Nutrizione e dello Stress ” Ed Esculapio - Bologna
Teaching methods
Lectures
Assessment methods and criteria
Oral Examinations
Other information
None
