Knowledge and understanding. Acquire knowledge and understanding of methodologies, techniques and tools of investigation and research applicable in the field of mental health research, starting from clinical needs.
Apply knowledge and understanding. Be able to understand the different animal models used for the different main psychiatric disorders and the neurobiological bases of psychiatric diseases. Be able to identify clinical innovations in the main mental disorders and conduct research focusing on unmet clinical needs.

Basic knowledge about biology, neurobiology, basic principles of neuropsychiatry, English. No propaedeutics.

Prof. Luca Pellegrini (+ invited speakers): Research theory in mental health; Processes of ideation, planning and management of research in mental health; link between basic sciences/neurobiology and clinical sciences. Understanding the biology behind mental disorders; animal models used for research on mental disorders and to find new treatments; clinical innovations in mental disorders.

Scientific papers and literature reviews provided by the professors.

Extended programming: Introduction to research in psychiatry/mental health; introduction to the major psychiatric disorders such as Major Depressive Disorders, OCD, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorders. General Psychopathology and definition of psychiatric disorder (pragmatic approach: specific cluster of signs/symptoms, predefined duration, functional impairment). Clinical features (specific signs and symptoms defining the psychiatric disorder), diagnostic criteria (DSM-5 criteria), onset and course characteristics, and brief knowledge on treatment (pharmacological, psychosocial and rehabilitative) of the principal psychiatric disorders such as Depressive (Major Depressive Disorder, Persistent Depressive Disorder/Dysthymia, Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder and Obsessive-compulsive and related disorders (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Body Dysmorphic Disorder, Hoarding Disorder, Trichotillomania, Excoriation Disorder). Knowing about the aforementioned disorders in terms of clinical features and diagnostic criteria, with also mention to the main psychiatric treatments and new heuristics to find cutting-edge therapies. Knowing about the different animal models of the psychiatric disorders cited above, how to conduct research in a lab using animal models and how to apply the findings to the clinical worlds. Molecular Psychiatry Exercise Prof Enrico Tongiorgi and Prof Luca Pellegrini (UniTS): Explanation of the Exam exercise: write a project in Mol Psych

Lectures, case studies, video tools. Lectures and seminars with the possibility to invite eminent international speakers and experts in specific research areas.

Course slides in pdf format are available on the moodle@units and Microsoft Teams IT platforms.

Writing essays in group activity. To pass the exam, the student will have to demonstrate to have acquired the ability to identify the links between basic sciences and clinical psychiatry and develop an appropriate approach toward research in neuroscience by understanding animal models of the main psychiatric disorders and the unmet clinical needs.

This teaching delves into topics closely related to one or more objectives of the 2030 Agenda for the Sustainable Development of United Nations. Specifically: Point 3: Health and wellbeing Point 4: Education of Quality