Psychoendocrinology
Code: 102586Credits: 6
| Degree programme | Type | Course |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology | OP | 4 |
Contact lecturer
- Name :
- Ferran Balada Nicolau
- Email :
- ferran.balada@uab.cat
Group languages
You can consult this information at the end of the document.
Prerequisites
There are no specific prerequisites, although it is advisable to have completed the basic subjects in the area of psychobiology.
Objectives
The subject of psychoendocrinology forms part of psychobiology. This optional 6-credit course is usually taken in the fourth year. It is part of the specialized areas of "Child and Adolescence Clinical Psychology" and of "Adult Clinical Psychology". The aim of this subject is to offer knowledge of the neuroendocrine bases of normal behaviour and psychopathology, as well as psychological disorders associated with endocrine disorders. Endocrine diagnostic methods (dynamic endocrine tests,..) will also be analysed.
Learning outcomes
- Describe the different types of hormone and the mechanisms for action.
- Describe the anatomy and physiology of the main endocrine glands.
- Identify and describe the hormonal bases in normal and abnormal behaviour.
- Describe hormonal changes throughout the life cycle.
- Analyse, synthesize and summarise information from scientific and professional texts.
- Handle scientific documentation systems.
- Plan a literature search or references, both computerized databases and libraries and newspaper archives.
- Analyse scientific texts written in English.
- Use different ICTs for different purposes.
Contents
BASIC ASPECTS IN PSYCHOENDOCRINOLOGY
Unit 1. - Molecular and anatomical bases in psychoendocrinology.
Unit 2. - Homeostasis and psychoendocrinology.
Unit 3. - Hormones and human life cycles.
CLINICAL ASPECTS IN PSYCHOENDOCRINOLOGY
Unit 4. - Behavioral disorders in endocrinopathies.
Unit 5. - Endocrine alterations in neuro-psychiatric disorders.
Learning activities and methodology
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Readings of scientific articles and manuals | 40.5 | 1.62 | 3, 5, 8 |
| Theoretical classes | 24 | 0.96 | 1, 2, 3, 4 |
| Study | 50 | 2 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 |
| Tutorials | 1.5 | 0.06 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 |
| Wikis | 20 | 0.8 | 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 |
| Seminars | 12 | 0.48 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9 |
The methodology is the following:
Lectures.
Case study: Seminars about endocrinological cases.
Autonomous work: Students must prepare two entries, one individually and the other in a group, on aspects related to psychoendocrinology. These works will be done through a wiki application.
Other activities through the virtual campus that include the elaboration of a glossary or the participation in forums.
Classes are taught in Catalan
Use of AI:
In this subject, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is permitted as an integral part of the work, provided that the final result reflects a significant contribution from the student in the analysis and personal reflection. The student must clearly identify which parts have been generated with this technology, specify the tools used, and include a critical reflection on how these have influenced the process and the final outcome of the activity. A lack of transparency regarding the use of AI will be considered academic dishonesty and may result in a penalty to the activity's mark, or more severe sanctions in more serious cases.
Assessment
Continuous assessment activities
| Title | Weight | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ev4 - Group Wiki | 10% | 0 | 0 | 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 |
| Ev5 - Participation in classroom activities | 10% | 0 | 0 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 |
| Ev1 - Online written examination - Part One | 20% | 0 | 0 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 |
| Ev4 - Final written examination | 40% | 2 | 0.08 | 1, 2, 3, 4 |
| Ev2 - Online written examination - Part Two | 20% | 0 | 0 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 |
This subject does not consider single assessment.
The assessment of the course consists of six evidences of learning. Competences for this subject will be assessed by means of written questionnaires and exams, individual and group tasks, presentations and/or discussions of texts in class. The translation of the on-site evaluation exams will be provided if the criteria outlined in Article 263 are fulfilled and the application is submitted via the e-form online in week 4 (further details are available on the faculty website).
Each of these three sections will be assigned a specific weight in the final grade:
- 2 online written examinations (Ev1 and Ev2) in which the students individually answer to a series of questions, raised with clinical cases, on the different topics of the program (weight 20% each examination). The first one will be taken around the first assessment period (week 9), while the second one will be taken during week 14-15. Both written tests will have a specific questionnaire section on the clinical cases presented. The feedback of these evaluative activities will be made in writing, indicating the correction criteria, within a maximum period of three weeks after the activity has been carried out.
- One individual written examination (Ev4) on basic concepts of the subject (weight 40%). Second assessment period. The delivery of the translation of the face-to-face evaluation tests will be made if the requirements established in article 263 are met and the request is made telematically (E-FORM) in week 4 (more information on the Faculty's website). The feedback of this evaluative activity will be made in writing, indicating the correction criteria, on the course website within five days after the activity has been carried out.
- One group (Ev3) task with the support of wiki systems (weight 10%). The group task is to make a wiki page about some aspect of cell biology involved in psychoendocrinology. The specific topics will be indicated during the course. They will be delivered on week 13-14. In this activity, a non-evaluative peer review will be carried out in the last two weeks of November through the activation of a specific task in moodle. The final assessment will be carried out at the expense of the teaching staff and the feedback will be in January, before the assessment week.
- Participation in activities (Ev5), both in classroom and online (weight 10%). The overall assessment, with the corresponding feedback, will be done in writing, in January, before the week of evaluations.
In accordance with Art. 116, point 10, of the UAB Regulations, should the student carry out any irregularity (copy, plagiarism, ...) that may lead to a significant variation of the qualification of an evidence; this assessment will be graded with “zero”. In case there are several irregularities in the evaluation of the same subject, the final grade will be “zero”. For any doubt, on the website https://www.uab.cat/web/estudiar/graus/graus/avaluacions-1345722525858.html you can consult the Guidelines for the evaluation of the UAB psychology degree.
Final grade
In accordance with the Faculty's assessment guidelines, the definition of a passed module in continuous assessment, which on a 0–10 scale, must include having obtained a minimum score of 5.0 points and a mark of at least 4.0 points in each of the in-person assessment tests that contribute 20% or more to the mark for this continuous assessment. Should these requirements, not be met, the maximum mark to be recorded on the academic transcript will be 4.5 points.
Resit
In the case that the subject is not passed (grade equal or higher than 5), the student will be able to take a resit test in the recuperation period to improve the learning evidence note corresponding to the written tests. As long as they meet the following two criteria.:
a) Obtained a final grade equal to or greater than 3 points (between 3 and 4.8 points), and
b) The weight of the evidence presented equals to a minimum of 66% of the total qualification of the subject.
The final grade for the subject obtained by the student in case of passing the resit will be five (5).
"Non-assessable" grade
A mark of N/A (Non-Assessable) will be awarded if a student fails to hand in equal or more than 40% of the assessed work used to calculate the final grade.
No unique final synthesis test for students who enroll for the second time or more is anticipated.
Bibliography
Main Bibliography
Ballesteros Pomar, M. D., & Sociedad Española de Endocrinología y Nutrición. (2021). Manual de endocrinología y nutrición. SEEN, Sociedad Española de Endocrinología y Nutrición. Access restricted to UAB users (https://bibcercador.uab.cat/permalink/34CSUC_UAB/1fbc57r/alma991010940235906709)
Feingold, K. R., Anawalt, B., Boyce, A., Chrousos, G., de Herder, W. W., Dungan, K., ... & Wilson, D. P. (2000). Endotext [Internet]. https://www.endotext.org/
González Bono, E., Hidalgo Calvo, V., Suay i Lerma, F., Cano López, I. y Salvador Fernández-Montejo, A. (2024). Manual de Prácticas de Psicoendocrinología (2.ª ed.). Tirant lo Blanch.
Holt, E. H., Lupsa, B., Lee, G. S., Bassyouni, H., & Peery, H. E. (2021). Goodman's basic medical endocrinology. Academic Press.
Melmed, S; Auchus, R., Goldfine, A., Rosen, C.J. & Kopp, P.A. Williams textbook of endocrinology (15th Edition). Elsevier 2024 (Existe una traducción en castellano de esta edición publicada por Elsevier en 2021) https://bibcercador.uab.cat/view/action/uresolver.do?operation=resolveService&package_service_id=4142439940006709&institutionId=6709&customerId=6705&VE=true
Litwack, G. (2022) Hormones 4th. Ed. Academic Press
Nestler, EJ; Kenny, P.J.; Russo, S.J. & Schaefer, A. (2020) Molecular Neuropharmacology. A Fundation for Clinical Neuroscience. McGraw Hill Education (Se ha publicado una traducción al castellano de la edición de 2015 en versión electrónica por McGraw Hill el mes de febrero de 2017)
Pfaff, D.W. & Joëls, M. (2017) Hormones, Brain, and Behavior (3rd Ed). Academic Press (2 Ed. 2002: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/book/9780125321044)
Raven, J. P. H., Raven, P., & Chew, S. L. (2022). The Endocrine System: Systems of the Body Series. 3rd Ed. Elsevier Health Sciences.
Robertson, R. P. (Ed.). (2022). DeGroot's Endocrinology: Basic Science and Clinical Practice. Ed. 8th. Elsevier Health Sciences
Wiederhofer, J. (2024). Psychoneuroendocrinology in Psychosocial and Psychotherapeutic Practice: A Biopsychosocial Coaching Approach. Springer, Wiesbaden. Access restricted to UAB users (https://bibcercador.uab.cat/permalink/34CSUC_UAB/rokuu2/cdi_proquest_ebookcentral_EBC31805361)
Supplementary Bibliography
Bhadada,S., Das, L., & Pal, R. (Eds.). (2023). Diagnostic Protocols in Endocrinology. Springer. https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/978-981-19-6653-8.pdf
Belfiore, A. & LeRoith, D. (2018) Principles of Endocrinology and Hormone Action. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-27318-1
Brunton, P. J., & Grattan, D. R. (Eds.). (2024). Neuroendocrine Regulation of Mammalian Pregnancy and Lactation. Springer. https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/978-3-031-51138-7.pdf
Caldwell, H. K., & Albers, H. E. (2024). Neuroendocrinology of Behavior and Emotions. Springer 2024 https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/978-3-031-51112-7.pdf
Challacombe, F., Green, C., & Bream, V. (2022) Break Free from Maternal Anxiety: A Self-Help Guide for Pregnancy, Birth and the First Postnatal Year. Cambridge University Press.
Ebling, F. J., & Piggins, H. D. (Eds.). (2020). Neuroendocrine Clocks and Calendars. Springer. https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/978-3-030-55643-3.pdf
Ergin, A.B.; Kennedy, A.L.; Gupta, M.K.; Hamrahian, A.H. (2015) The Cleveland Clinic Manual of Dynamic Endocrine Testing. Springer. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-13048-4
Fink, G (2019) Stress Physiology Biochemistry and Pathology. Elsevier. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/book/9780128131466
Garg, R. K., Hennessey, J. V., & Garber, J. R. (2025) Handbook of Inpatient. Springer International Publishing. https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/978-3-031-86099-7.pdf
Grinevich, V. & Dobolyi, A. (2022) Neuroanatomy of Neuroendocrine Systems. Masterclass in Neuroendocrinology, 12. Springer International Publishing https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-86630-3
Kleine, B & Rossmanith, WG (2016) Hormones and the Endocrine System. Textbook of Endocrinology. Springer International Publishing 2016 https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-319-15060-4
Krauss, G. (2014) Biochemistry of Signal Transduction and Regulation. Wiley-VCH. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/book/10.1002/9783527667475
Lovejoy, D. (2005) Neuroendocrinology, an integrated approach. John Wiley & Sons. https://doi.org/10.1002/0470027878
Martínez Sanchis, S. (2007) Hormonas, estado de ánimo y función cognitiva. Delta publicaciones.
Molina, P.E. (2018) Endocrine Physiology. 5th McGraw Hill Medical.
Murphy, D. & Gainer, H. (2016) Molecular Neuroendocrinology: From Genome to Physiology. Willey Blackell http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/book/10.1002/9781118760369
Neave, N. (2008) Hormones and Behaviour. A psychological Approach. Cambridge University Press. 2008
Nelson, R.J. (1996) Psicoendocrinologia. Las bases hormonales de la conducta. Ed. Ariel. 1996
Nelson, R. J. & Kriegseld, L.J. (2022) An Introduction to behavioral endocrinology (6 ed.) Oxford University Press .
Nelson, Randy J., and Zachary M. Weil, eds. (2022) Biographical History of Behavioral Neuroendocrinology. Springer Nature.
New, M.I.; Lekarev, O.; Parsa, A.; Yuen, T.T.; o'Malley, B.W. & Hammer, G.D. Genetic Steroid Disorders.Elsevier BV, 2014
Patisaul, H.B. & Belcher, S.M. Endocrine disruptors, Brain, and Behavior. Oxford University Press 2017 https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199935734.001.0001
Pfaff, D.W.; Kordon, C.; Chanson, P.; Christen, Y. Hormones and Social Behavior. Springer-Verlag 2008 http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&scope=site&db=nlebk&db=nlabk&AN=229313
Russell, J.A. & Shipston, M.J. Neuroendocrinology of Stress. Willey Blackell 2016 http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/book/10.1002/9781118921692
Spengler, D. & Binder, E. (Eds) Epigenetics and Neuroendocrinology. Clinical Focus on Psychiatry (2 vols.) Springer International Publishing 2016 Vol 1: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-319-24493-8 Vol 2: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-319-29901-3
Welling, L. L., & Shackelford, T. K. (Eds.). (2019). The Oxford handbook of evolutionary psychology and behavioral endocrinology. Oxford University Press.
Wilkinson, M., & Imran, S.Clinical Neuroendocrinology: An Introduction. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. (2019). doi:10.1017/9781108149938
Wolkowitz, O.M. & Rothschild, A.J. (2003) Psychoneuroendocrinology. The Scientific Basis of Clinical Practice. American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc. Washington.
Software
Installing the Safe Exam Browser for Moodle quizzes
Course groups and languages
The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE
| Type of teaching | Group | Language | Semester | Shift |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (TE) Theory | 1 | Catalan | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (PLAB) Practical laboratories | 111 | Catalan | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (PLAB) Practical laboratories | 112 | Catalan | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (PLAB) Practical laboratories | 113 | Catalan | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (PLAB) Practical laboratories | 114 | Catalan | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (PLAB) Practical laboratories | 115 | Catalan | first semester | morning-mixed |