SEMINAR ON

CONCEPTS OF
PSYCHOBIOLOGY

SUBMITTED TO SUBMITTED BY

MRS. JAYANTHI.K, MS. DHEEPA.V,

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, MSC ( NURSING ) – I-YEAR,

DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH NURSING, KGNC.

KGNC.

SUBMITTED ON

09.10.2017
INTRODUCTION :

Human thoughts, feelings and actions begin in the nervous system. the complex
interplay of environment, brain function, emotions and actions that leads to human thought
and behaviour is the result of the underlying neuroanatomy, neurophysiology and the genetic
factors that influence those system.

This chapter reviews basic structures and functions of the brain and briefly discusses
the growing field of molecular genetics that will influence psychiatric nursing in the coming
decade.

PSYCHOBIOLOGY

DEFINITION:

A field of study examining the relationship between brain and mind , studying
the effect of biological influences on psychological functioning or mental processes.

THE NERVOUS SYSTEM:

The nervous system is a complex network of nerves and cells that carry messages to
and from the brain and spinal cord to various part of the body.

It includes two main components such as the central nervous system and the
peripheral nervous system.

AN ANATOMICAL REVIEW

1. The nervous system is divided into the following heading,

2. The central nervous system consists of the brain and the spinal cord.

3. The peripheral nervous system consists of 31 pairs of special nerves and 12 pairs of
cranial nerves.

The autonomic nervous system consists of ,

Sympathetic nervous system and parasympathetic nervous system.

THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

The brain and the spinal cord are completely covered by 3 membranes , the meninges
lying between the skull and the brain and between the vertebrae and the spinal cord, named
from outside inwards.
DURA MATER:

The cerebral dura mater consists of two layer and dense fibrous tissue the outer layer is
firmly attached periosteum of the skull called endocteum and the inner layer provides a
protective covering to the brain.

ARACHNOID MATER :

The delicate transparent serous membrane lies between the dura and the pia mater. It is
separated from the dura mater by sub dural space and from the pia mater by the subarachnoid
space containing cerebro spinal fluid.

PIA MATER :

It is the fine membrane closely invests the brain, completely cover the convolutions and
dips into each fissure.

VENTRICLES OF THE BRAIN :

Within the brain there are 4 cavities called ventricles containing cerebrospinal fluid .

Right and left ventricles ( lateral ).

The lateral ventricles lie within the cerebral hemispheres. One on each side of the median
plane just below the corpus callosum and are separated from each other by a thin membrane
the septum lucidum.

The communicate with the 3rd ventricle by inter ventricular foramina, a pair of oval
openings.

The 3rd ventricle is situated below the lateral ventricles between the two parts of the
thalamus.

It communicate with the 4th ventricles through a canal called the cerebral aqueduct .

The 4th ventricle is a diamond shaped cavity situated posterior to the medulla oblongata
and posterior to the cerebellum. It communicates with the central canal of the spinal cord ,
and also communicates with the subarachnoid spaces by means of three foramina in the roof
of the ventricles.

THE CEREBROSPINAL FLUID :

 Cerebrospinal fluid is continuously secreted into each lateral ventrical of the

brain by choroid plexuses.
 The choroid plexuses are formed by protrusion of the capillaries with piamater
into ventricles. It passes back into blood through tiny diverticula of arachnoid
called arachnoid villi , that project into the superior sagittal sinus.
 CSF movement is aided by pulsating blood vessels.
 CSF is continuously, at thr rate 3 about 20 ml per hour i.e. 480 ml per day .
  The amount around the brain and the spinal cord may be 120- 150 ml.
 CSF is a clear fluid with specific gravity of 1005. It contains water , mineral
salts, proteins , creatinine in small amount ,urea, glucose.
 It also contains some WBCs.

FUNCTIONS OF CSF:

 It supports and protects the brain and spinal cord.

 It maintains uniform pressure.
 It acts as custion and shock absorber.
 There is inter change of substances between CSF amd nerve cells ( nutrients
and waste products )
 It provides an optimal chemical environment for normal neuronal signaling.

b. THE BRAIN AND LIMBIC SYSTEM :

THE BRAIN STRUTURE AND FUNCTION:

The brain constitutes about one- fifth of the body weight and lies withion the cranial
cavity. The parts are,

 Cerebrum
 Diencephalon
 Midbrain or mesencephalon
 Pons.
 Medulla oblongata
 Cerebellum

The mid brain , pons and medulla oblongata makes the brain stem.

THE BLOOD SUPPLY TO BRAIN:

The circulus arterious and its contributing arteries play a vital role in maintaining a
constant supply of oxygen and glucose to the brain . the brain receives about 15% of the
cardiac output approximately 750ml of blood per minute .

Auto regulation keeps blood flow to the brain constant by adjusting the diameters of the
arteries across the wide range of arterial blood pressure ( about 65-140 mmHg) with the
changes occuring only outside these limits.

CEREBRUM:

The cerebrum consists of a right and left hemisphere and constitutes the largest Part of the
human brain.

The right and left hemispheres are connected by a deep groove, houses a band of 200
million neurons ( nerve cells ) called corpus callosum.
 The surface of the cerebrum consists of grey matter and its called the cerebral cortex. The
cerebral cortex is identified by numerous folds called gyri and deep grooves between the
folds called sulci.

Each hemisphere of the cerebral cortex is divided into the frontal lobe, parietal lobe,
temporal lobe and occipital lobe.

DIECEPHALON:

The second part of the forebrain is the diencephalon, which connects the cerebrum with the
lower structure of the brain. The major components of the diencephalon includes the
thalamus, the hypothalamus and the limbic system.

THE THALAMUS:

The thalamus integrates all sensory input (except smell) on its way to the cortex. This helps
the cerebral cortex interpret the whole picture very rapidly rather than experiencing each
sensation individually.the thalamus is also involved in temporarily blocking minor sensations
so that an individual can concentrate on one important event when necessarily.

THE HYPOTHALAMUS:

The hypothalamus is located below the thalamus and just above the pituitary and has a
number of diverse function.

REGULATION OF THE PITUITARY GLAND:

Pituitary gland consists of two lobes; the posterior lobe and the anterior lobes.

A) POSTERIOR LOBE :
The posterior lobes of the pituitary gland is actually extending from the
hypothalamus. It stores antidiuretic hormone and oxytocin.
B) ANTERTIOR LOBE:
Consists of grandular tissue that produces a number of hormones used by the body.

THE LIMBIC SYSTEM

The part of brain known as limbic system consists of portions of the cerebrum and the
diencephalon. This system has been called the emotional brain and is associated with feelings
of fear and anxiety, anger, rage and aggressive,love, joy and hope and with sexuality and
social behaviour.

The term limbic system is applied to the part of the brain that consists of the rim of cortical
tissue around the hilus and a group of associated deep structures like the amygdale, the
hippocampus and the septal nuclei. It is mainly concerned with emotional expression and
genesis of emotions. A small part of the limbic system is concerned with smell.

The afferent and efferent connections of limbic system from a closed circuit called as
papez circuit.
FUNCTIONS :

The limbic system is concerned with autonomic responses in addition to a role in olfaction.
Along with hypothalamus, it is also concerned with sexual behaviour, emotions of rage and
fear and motivation.

The autonomic responses produced are changes in blood pressure and respiration.

The stimulation of amygdale produces activities related with feeding ( liking, chewing,
etc..,). Lesions produce moderate hyperphagia with indiscriminate ingestion of all kinds of
food also called as omniphagia.

c. THE NERVE TISSUE

The nervous system consists of vast number of cells called neurons supported by specisl
type of connective tissue, neuralgia. Each neurons consists of a cell body and its processes,
one axon and many dendrities.

The types of neurons are,

 Multipolar
 Bipolar
 Unipolar

Neurons are commonly referred to simply as nerve cells. Bundles of axons bound together
are called nerves. Neurons cannot divide and for survival they need a continous supply of
oxygen and glucose.

THE NEURON:

PROPERTIES OF NEURONS:

o Neuron have the characteristics of irritability and conductivity.

o Irritability is the ability to initiate nerve impulses in response to stimuli form.
o Outside the body e.g. touch, light waves.
o Inside the body e.g. change in the concentration of carbon dioxide in the blood
alerts respiration ; a thought may result in voluntary movement.
o Conductivity means the ability to transmit an impulses.

CELL BODIES :

Nerve cells vary considerable in size and shape but they are all too small to be seen by the
naked eye. Cell bodies form the grey matter of the nervous system and are found at the
periphery of the brain and in the centre of the spinal cord. Groups of cell bodies are called
nuclei in the central nervous system.
AXON AND DENDRITES:

Axons and dendrites are extensions of cell bodies and fporm the white of the nervous
system .

AXON :

Each nerve cell has only one axon, carrying nerve impulses away from the cell body. They
are usually longer then the dendrites, sometimes as long as 100cm.

DENDRITES:

The dendrites are the processes or nerve fibres which carry impulse towards cell body.
They are shorter and branching . each neuron has many dendrites.

TYPES OF NERVES:

1. SENSORY OR AFFERENT NERVES:

These fibres transmit impulses from the periphery of the body to the spinal cord,
or to connector neurons of reflex acrs.

2. MOTOR OR EFFERENT NERVES:

Motor nerves originate in the brain, spinal cord and autonomic ganglia.

3. MIXED NERVES :
Both components are present in single nerve called mixed nerves. E.g spinal
nerves contain both motor or sensory fibres.

4. TERMINATION OF NERVES:
The sensory nerves e.g. in the skin lose their myelin sheath and divide endings.
These endings are stimulated in the skin by touch, pain ,heat and cold. The impulses is
then trnasmittes to the brain.

SYNAPSE AND CHEMICAL TRANSMITTERS:

There is always more than one neuron involved in the transmission of a nerve impulses
from its origrin to its sensory or motor. There is no anatomical continuity between these
neurons, the point at which the nerve impulse passes from one to other, is the synapse.

The neurotransmitters are noradernaline, gamma- amino butyric acid and acetylcholine.
Other substances such as dopamine and serotonin may have similar functions.

NEUROGLIA :

The neurons of the central nervous system are supported by the connective tissue cells.
There are six types of neurological cells. Unlike nerve cells, these continue to replicate
throughout life.
1. ASTROCYTES:
These cells form main supporting tissue of the central nervous system. they are star
shaped with branching processes.
2. OLIGO DENDROCYTE:
They are smaller than astrocytes. They are found around the neuron cell walls in the
grey matter and adjacent fibres in CNS to myelinate.
3. MICROGLIAL CELLS:
They are derived from monocytes that migrate from blood into the nervous system
before birth. Found in the area of blood capillaries.
4. EPENDYMAL CELLS:
They are epithelial cells. The shape is cuboidal and columnar and many cells have
celia. They line the ventricales of the brain and the central canal of the spinal and assist
its circulation.

5.SCHWANN CELLS OR NEUROEMMOCYTES:

They produce myelin sheaths around the neurons of the peripheral nervous system.

6.SATELLITE CELLS:

They support neurons in ganglia of peripheral nervous system.

d. AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM:

The autonomic or involuntary part of the nervous system controls the functions of the
body carried out “automatically” i,e, initiated in the brain below the level of the cerebrum.

The effector organs are,

 Smooth muscle
 Cardiac muscle
 Glands

Effects of autonomic stimulation include:

 Changes in the rate and force of the heart beat.

 Stimulate or depression of secretion of glands
 Vasoconstriction or vasodilatation
 Bronchoconstriction or vasodilation
 Changes in size of the pupils of the eyes

The autonomic nervous system is divided into two divisions:

 Sympathetic ( thoracolumbar outflow )

 Parasympathetic ( crainosacral outflow )
 (a) SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM:
Neurons convey impulses from their origin in the hypothalamus, reticular
formation and medulla oblongata to effector organs and tissues. The first neurons
has its cell body in the brain and its fibre extends into the spinal cord.
(b) PARASYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM:
Two neurons ( preganglionic and postganglionic ) are involved in the
transmission of impulses from their source to the effector organ. The
neurotransmitter at both synapses is acetylcholine.

e. NEUROTRANSMITTERS:

Neurotransmitter is a collective generic term for neurotransmitters, neuromodulators

and neuroharmones.

Neurotransmitters are neuro messengers that are rapidly released at the presynaptic
neuron upon stimulation, diffuse across the synapse between two neurons, have either an
excitatory or inhibitory effect on the postsynaptic neuron.

There are three classes of neurotransmitters, biogenic amines (monoamines) ,amino

acids and peptides.

1. The Biogenic amines includes

 Dopamine (DA)
 Nor epinephrine (NE)
 Serotonin (5- hydrotryamine,or 5-HT)
 Acetylcholine (Ach)
 Histamine (H)

They are synthesized in the axon terminals and released into the synapse.

(1) DOPAMINE (DA):

It is found in the basal ganglia area, where it is associated with the control of
complex movement in the limbic system, where it is associate with memory,
mood, reward, pleasure and motivation.

(2) NOREPINEPHRINE:
Receptors for norepinephine are located in the pons, specifically the locus
ceruleus, where NE is associated with the stress responses cortex, where its affects
cognitive functioning .
(3) SEROTONIN :
It has the opposite effect of NE which is a stimulator it has a calming
effect. It arise in the raphe nuclei and project to the same areas as the NE
pathways. It appears to be a modulator. Its effects include and influence the
temperature sensory, sleep and assertiveness areas of the normal and abnormal
 behaviour,moods,drives the regulation of food intake and in neuroendocrine
functions.
(4) ACETYLCHOLINE:
The first chemical to be identified as a true neurotransmitter. It is the
grandparent of all neurotransmitters. It plays a major role in the encoding of
memory and in cognition it also plays a medication role in mood disorders, stress
and sleep regulation.
(5) HISTAMINE :
The role of histamine in psychiatric illness is less understand. It is a
chemical messenger that mediates a wide range of cellular responses,including
allergic and inflammatory reactions, gastric acid secretions and neurotransmission.
(6) AMINO ACIDS:
These are natural substances found throughout the brain and body and in
the proteins of the food we eat.
(7) GLUTAMATE:
Glutamate and aspartate are the two primary amino acids
neurotransmitters. It is primarily located in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus
and as a role in long term memory and learning.

NEURO ENDOCRINOLOGY :

THE ROLE OF THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM :

The endocrine system functions through neurochemical messengers in the blood

stream called hormones, the endocrine system is a communication system. hormones secreted
from the hypothalamus instruct the pituitary to stimulate the target tissues and glands.

The major glands of the body are adrenals, the gonads, the thyroid gland, their
function is releasing hormones hormones act as triggers.

 PITUITARY GLAND:

The pituitary gland and the hypothalamus act as unit, regulating the activity of most of
the other endocrine gland lies in the hypophyseal fossa of the sphenoid bone below the
hypothalamus to which it is attached to the stalk.

It is the size of the pie, weighs about 500 mg and consists of three distinct parts that
originate from different types of cells.

ANTERIOR PITUITARY GLAND

The hypothalamus produces releasing hormones that pass through capillaries and veins
of the hypophyseal portal system to capillaries in the anterior pituitary where they stimulate
secretion of specialised hormones.
 The hormones of the anterior pituitary gland regulate multiple body functions and
include growth hormones, thyroid stimulating glands, ACTH, prolactin, gonodotrophin
stimulating hormones and melanocyte- stimulating hormone.

a. GROWTH HORMONE:
The release of growth hormone also called somatotrophin is stimulating by the
growth hormone releasing hormone from the hypothalamus. It is responsible for growth
as well as continued protein synthesis throughout life.
b. THYROID STIMLATING HORMONES:
THYROTROPHIN-RELEASING HORMONES (TRH) from the hypothalamus
stimulates the release of TSH or thyrotropin from the anterior pituitary. It is the integral
to the metabolism of food and the regulation of temperature.
HYPERTHYROIDISM with irritability, insomnia, anxiety, restlessness, weight
loss and emotional lability and in some instances with progressing to delirium or
psychosis.

c. ADENOCORTICOTROPIC HORMONES:
Corticotrophin-releasing hormones from the hypothalamus stimulates the release
of ACTH from the anterior pituitary.
Hyper secretion of cortisol results in cushing syndrome.

d. PROLACTIN
Serum prolactin levels are regulated by prolactin releasing hormone from the
hypothalamus.
Prolactin stimulates milk production by the mammary glands in the presence of
high levels of oestrogen and progestron during pregnancy.
e. GONODOTROPHIC HORMONE:
The gonadotrophic hormones are so called because they produce an effect on the
gonads , the ovaries and the testies.
f. MELANOCYTE STIMULATING HORMONE:
Melanocyte stimulating hormone from the hypothalamus stimulates the pineal
gland to secrete melatonin.
The release of melatonin appears to depends ont he onset of darkness and
suppressed by light.
Studies of this hormones have indicated that environment light can affect neuronal
activity and influence circadian rhythms.

POSTERIOR PITUITARY GLAND:

The hypothalamus has a direct control over the posterior pituitary through efferent neural
pathways.

Two hormones are found in the posterior pituitary are vasopressin ( antidiuretic
hormone) and the oxytocin produced by the hypothalamus.

a. ANTIDIURETIC HORMONE:
 The main function is to conserve body water and maintain normal blood pressure.
The release of ADH is stimulated by pain, emotional stress, dehydration, increased
plasma concentration, and decreases in blood volume.
Plays role in learning and memory in alteration of the pain responses and in the
modification of sleep patterns.
b. OXYTOCIN:
It stimulates concentration of the uterus at the end of the pregnancy and release of
milk from mammary gland. It is also released in response to stress and during sexual
arousal.

THYROID GLAND:

The thyroid gland is situated in the neck in front of the larynx and trachea at the level
of the 5th, 6th, and 7th cervical and 1st throracic vertebrae.

It is highly vascular gland that weighs 25g and surrounded by a fibrous capsule. It
resembles butterfly in shape, consisting of two lobes ( roughly cone shaped ) about 5 cm long
and 3cm wide.

PARATHYROID GLAND:

There are four small parathyroid glands, two embedded in the posterior surface of each
lobe of the thyroid gland.

FUNCTIONS:

The parathyroid glands secrete parathyroid hormone.secretion is regulated by the blood

level of calcium. When this falls secretion of PTH is increased and vice versa.

This is needed for,

 Muscle contraction
 Blood clotting
 Nerve impulse transmission

CIRCADIAN RHYTHMS:

The human sleep and the awaken in a 24 hours cycle is called as circadian rhythm.

( circa = about, dia = a day ) that is established by the suprachiasmatic nucleus (a cluster
of neurons in the hypothalamus). A person who is awake is in the state of readiness and is
able to react consciously to various stimuli. EEG recording show that the cerebral cortex is
very active during wakefulness, whereas fewer impulses arise during mot stages of sleep.
 Circadian rhythm is like a network internal clocks that coordinate events in the body
according to a 24 hours cycle. This cycle corresponds to a time it takes the earth to spin on its
axis, exposing all of life of daily rhythms of light, darkness and temperature.

Because the bodies fluid tissue function according to ciracadian rhythms, physical and
mental ability and moods may vary widely from one time of day to another. To run according
to the 24 hour clock, a circadian system must have time cue from the external environment.
That cue is usually sunlight, which resets the clock each day and synchronizes the bodies
complex set of rhythms.

THE ROLE OF THE RETICULAR ACTIVATING SYSTEM IN AWAKENING ;

Stimulating of the some parts of the reticular formation increases activity of the cerebral
cortex. Thus, a portion of the reticular formation is known as the reticular activating system
RAS. When this area is active , many nerve impulses directly and via the thalamus. The
effect is a generalized increase in the cortical activity.

Arousal or awakening from sleep , also involves increased activity in RAS. For arousal to
occur, the RAS must to be stimulated. Many sensory stimuli can activate the RAS: painful
stimuli detected by nociceptors, touch and pressure on the skin, movement of the limbs,
bright light or buzz of the alarm clock. Once the RAS is activated, the cerebral cortex is also
activated , and the arousal occurs. The result is the state of wakefulness called
consciousness.`

SLEEP :

Sleep is a state of altered consciousness or partial unconsciousness from which an

individual can be aroused. Although it is essential, the exact function of sleep are still
unclear. Sleep deprivation impairs attention, learning and performance. Normal sleep consists
of two components, non- rapid eye movement(NREM) sleep and rapid eye movement(REM)
sleep, NREM sleep consists of four gradually merging stages, each of which is characterised
by a different kind of EEG activity.

1. STAGE 1: It is a transition stage between wakefulness and sleep that normally lasts
1-7 minutes.
2. STAGE 2: Or light sleep is the first stage of true sleep. In it, a person is a little more
difficult to awaken.
3. STAGE 3: Is a period of moderately deep sleep.
4. STAGE 4: Or slow wave sleep is the deepest level of sleep.

GENETICS AND HEREDITY:

The goal of the human genome project is to identify all of the human DNA and what it
encodes. Among the interesting result of this project is the identification of two genes for
Alzheimers disease on chromosomes 14 and 21.
Genes are located on chromosomes each person as 23 pairs, for a total of 46. One set of 23
comes from the mother and the other set from the father at the time of conception. Genes are
composed of pairs of nucleic acids in specific sequences that contain an enormous amount of
coding information, this information serves as a “blueprint” for biological process. The
mechanism of decoding the DNA is complex.

The search for a genes that cause mental illness has been difficult it has stimulated
significant scientific, political, and clinical debate. Several issues make research on the
inheritance of mental illness difficult. These includes,

 The psychiatric diagnostic classification system continues to change.

 The psychiatric diagnostic system is organised by symptom clusters.
 A gene that sometimes produces a psychiatric disorder may not always do so.
 The presence of several different genes may be necessary to produce
psychiatric disorder.
 Non genetic factors also contribute to the development of a disorder.

NEUROPSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS:

A. BIOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS OF PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS :

Various psychiatric disorders and possible biological influences are discussed
as follows,

ANATOMICAL NEUROTRANSMITTERS ENDOCRINE GENETIC

BRAIN INVOLVEMENT INVOLVEMENT LINK
STRUCTURES
INVLOVED
Schizophrenia : Increased dopamine Decreased prolactin Twin, familial,
Frontal cortex, levels adoption studies
temporal lobes,
limbic system
Depressive Decreased levels of Increased cortisol Twin, familial
disorders: Frontal norepinephrine, dopamine levels, increased and adoption
lobes, limbic and serotonin melatonin studies
system, temporal
lobes
Bipolar disorder : Increased levels of Elevated thyroid Twin, familial,
Frontal lobes, limbic norepinephrine, dopamine hormones adoption studies
system, temporal and serotonin
lobes
Panic disorder: Increased levels of Elevated thyroid Twin and
limbic system , norepinephrine, decreased hormones familial studies
midbrain GABA activity
Anorexia nervosa: Decreased levels of Decreased levels of Twin and
limbic system, norepinephrine, serotonin gonodotropins and familial studies
particularly the and dopamine growth hormones
hypothalamus
Obsessive- Decreased levels of serotonin Increased levels of Twin studies
compulsive disorder cortisol levels
– limbic system,
basal ganglia
Alzheimers disease- Decreased levels of Decreased Familial studies
temporal, parietal actylcholine, norepinephrine, corticotrophin
and occipital regions serotonin and somatostatin releasing hormone
of cerebral cortex

B. NEUROTRANSMITTERS IMPLICATION IN PSYCHIATRIC

DISORDER:

NEUROTRANSMITTERS DISORDERS EXAMPLES OF

DISORDER
INVOLVING IT
1. Acetylcholine Depression Alzheimers Alzheimer disease is
Huntingtons associated with a lack
Parkinson of acetylcholine in
disease certain regions of the
brain
2. Dopamine Mania and Parkinson The loss of dopamine
schizophrenia disease and in certain parts of the
depression causes the muscle
rigidity typical of
Parkinson disease

3. Glutamine Huntingtons It is also thought to be

spinal associated with
degeneration and alzheimers disease
epilepsy whose first symptoms
include memory
malfunctions
4. Serotonin Manic state Depression Depression, suicide,
Anxiety impulsive behaviour
and aggressiveness all
appear to involve
certain imbalance in
serotonin
5. Glycine Spastic motor
movement

6. Substance P Depression Huntingson and

Alzheimer
disease
7. Somatostatin Huntington Alzheimers
disease disease
 8..Endorphins and Schizophrenia
Enkephalins
9.. GABA (Gamma Huntingson, Some drug the
butyric acid) Anxiety, increases the level of
schizhoprenia GABA in the brain
and Epilepsy are used to treat
epilepsy
10.. Nor epinephrine Mania,anxiety Depression It plays a role in
and schizophrenia mood disorder such
as manic, depression

PSYCHOIMMUNOLOGY:

DEFINITION:

The study of the connections between the mind and the immune system.

The basic concept of psycho immunology is the concept that the mind and body
are inseparable. It follows that stress affects the body s ability to resist disease. The brain
influences all sorts of physiological processes once thought not to be centrally regulated.

There are effects of psychological factors on many diseases including rheumatoid

arthritis, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and inflammatory bowel disease.

PSYCHONEUROIMMUNOLOGY(PNI):

DEFINITION:

It is the study of the interaction between psychology processes and the nervous and
immune system of the human body. Psychoneuroimmunology takes an interdisciplinary
approach, incorporating psychology, neuroscience, immunology, physiology, pharmacology,
molecularbiology, psychiatry, behavioural medicine, infectious diseases, endocrinology and
rheumatology.

NORMAL IMMUNE RESPONSE:

BRAIN –IMMUNE SYSTEM INTERACTIONS:

Evidence for nervous system- immune system interactions exists at several biological
levels. Primary and secondary lymphoid organs are innervated by the sympathetic nervous
system and lymphoid cells bear receptors for many hormones and neurotransmitters. These
substances secreted by the pituitary gland are thus able to influence lymphocyte function.

Moreover, lymphocytes themselves can produce neuropeptide substances. Thus, there are
anatomical and neurochemical channels of communication that provides a structural
foundation relationships between the nervous and immune system.
IMPLICATION FOR PYCHIATRIC ILLNESS :

IMMUNE FUNCTION AND MENTAL ILLNESS;

Stress greatly influence physiological functioning and the exacerbation of symptoms

in psychiatric clients. Stress can also impact how the immune system functions: it is a
powerful physiological influence on the body s overall functioning. The emerging field of
psychoimmunology is dedicated to elucidating the mechanisms of this process.

IMPLICATION FOR NURSING:

Pyschiatric nurses must integrate knowledge of the biological sciences into their
practices if they are to ensure safe and effective care to people with mental.

NURSE MUST UNDERSTAND THE FOLLOWING,

1. NEUROANATOMY AND NEUROPHYSIOLOGY: the structure and functioning

of the various parts of the brain and their correlation to human behaviour and
psychopathology.
2. NEURONAL PROCESSES: the various function of the nerve cells, including therole
of neurotransmitter, receptors, synaptic activity and informational pathways.
3. NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY: The interaction of the endocrine and nervous system,
and the role that the endocrine glands and their respective hormones play in
behavioural functioning.
4. CIRCADIAN RHYTHMS: Regulation of biochemical functioning over periods of
rhythmic cycles and their influences to certain behaviours.
5. GENETIC INFLUENCE : Heredity of that predispose individual to certain
psychiatric disorders.
6. PSYCHOIMMUNOLOGY: The influence of stress on the immune system and its
role in the susceptibility to illness.
7. PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY: The increasing use of psychotropic in the treatment
of mental illness, demanding greater knowledge of psychopharmacological principles
and effective management.
8. DIAGNOSTIC TECHNOLOGY: The importance of keeping informed about the
latest in technological procedures for diagnosing alterations in brain structure and
function.

Psychobiology perspectives must be incorporated into nursing practice, education

and research to attain the evidence based outcomes necessary for the delivery of
competent care.

It is also important for nurses to keep abreast of the expanding diagnostic

technologies available for detecting alterations in psychobiological functioning.

Integrating knowledge of the expanding biological focus into psychiatric nursing is essential
if nurses are to meet the changing needs of todays psychiatric clients.
SUMMARY :

The concept of psychobiology ,thus reveals the basic structure and functions of the
nervous system, neuro anatomy, neurophysiology and pyschoimmunology and genetic factor
that influence those system.

This chapter will provide a clear concept of growing field of molecular genetics that
improves the nursing in the coming decade.

Psychobiology have provided a tremendous changes and advances in the field of

neurobiologic research related to mental disorder.

CONCLUSION :

Till now we have discussed about the effective information and details about the
concepts of biological and physiological aspect of human body. This chapter have provided
the clear information and which supports and provide integrate knowledge of the biological
science into their practices if they are to ensure safe and effective care to people with mental
illnesses.

BIBLIOGRAPHY :

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