Track: Psychiatric Immunology and Physiological Psychology

Psychiatric Immunology: Immune
System’s Role in Mental Health
- The impact of neuroinflammation on disorders such
as depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder.
- The role of pro-inflammatory cytokines and
microglial activation in psychiatric disorders.
- Immune system dysregulation as a potential
biomarker for diagnosing and treating mental health conditions.
- Exploring the gut-brain axis: How the microbiome
influences immune responses and mental health.
Neuroimmune Interactions in
Psychiatric Disorders
- The connection between chronic inflammation and
the development of psychiatric conditions.
- Understanding the role of autoimmune disorders,
such as autoimmune encephalitis, in the manifestation of psychiatric
symptoms.
- Investigating the role of stress-induced
immunosuppression and its link to anxiety and mood disorders.
Physiological Psychology: The
Mind-Body Connection
- Understanding how autonomic nervous system (ANS)
activity, such as sympathetic and parasympathetic regulation, impacts
emotional regulation and stress responses.
- The role of endocrine hormones (e.g., cortisol,
adrenaline) in the body's response to psychological stress.
- The influence of neurotransmitters like dopamine,
serotonin, and GABA on mood, cognition, and behavior.
Stress,
Immunity, and Mental Health
- The impact of chronic stress on the immune system
and its link to psychiatric disorders.
- Exploring the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)
axis and its role in stress-related disorders like PTSD and depression.
- The effects of acute versus chronic stress on
immune function and mental health outcomes.
Innovative Approaches to
Treatment
- Anti-inflammatory therapies as potential
treatments for psychiatric disorders.
- Exploring the use of immune-modulating drugs and
biologic therapies in treating conditions like schizophrenia and major
depressive disorder.
- Advances in neurostimulation techniques, such as
vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), that target both the immune and nervous
systems.
Psychophysiological Assessment
Techniques
- The use of heart rate variability (HRV),
electroencephalography (EEG), and cortisol measurements to assess the
physiological basis of psychological states.
- Evaluating biomarkers that indicate immune system
activity related to psychiatric symptoms.
Clinical and Translational
Perspectives
- Case studies demonstrating the role of immune
responses in the diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric disorders.
- Translation of research findings into clinical
practice, highlighting the potential for personalized medicine in
psychiatric care.
- Discussion of multidisciplinary approaches involving immunologists, psychiatrists, and psychologists to create comprehensive care plans.
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand the role of immune dysregulation and neuroinflammation in the development of psychiatric disorders.
- Explore how hormonal changes and autonomic nervous system activity affect mental health.
- Gain insight into the bi-directional relationship between the brain and immune system in conditions like depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia.
- Learn about emerging immune-modulating treatments and neurostimulation therapies for psychiatric conditions.
- Discover how physiological psychology provides a foundation for understanding mind-body interactions in emotional regulation and cognitive processes
Scientific Highlights
- Psychology and Psychiatry
- Psychology of Brain Aging and Emotional Well-Being
- Psychopathology
- Psychiatric Immunology and Physiological Psychology
- Cognitive and Behavioural Science
- Psychopharmacology and Pharmacotherapy
- AI and Machine Learning in Mental Health
- Psychological Interventions
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy
- Psychological Case Studies in Mental Health
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Women's Mental Health
- Health, Stress, and Coping
- Psychiatric Nursing
- Intellectual Disabilities
- Psychology Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health
- Stroke, Trauma, and Epilepsy
- Applied Psychology
- Clinical Trials and New Frontiers in Psychotherapy