Neurobiology of Affective Disorders

Content

This course covers the following topics:

• To cover a broad scope of existing and prevalent emotional disorders (anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, personality disorders, psychopathy, substance abuse, schizophrenia …).
• For each of them, carefully introduce and review its actual neurobiological bases, from multiple angles (function, structure, neurotransmission and neurochemical factors). Because many of these disorders have distinctive neurobiological grounds and neural correlates, this course will contribute to help refine and improve the factual knowledge regarding the differential diagnosis and symptoms of these emotional disorders.
• A clear transdiagnostic approach/theory (i.e., to identify common/generic vulnerability factors affecting the genesis and maintenance of these disorders) will be adopted. Moreover, throughout the course, a special emphasis will be put on translational research, enabling bridging the gap between these neuroscience findings (and hallmarks of these disorders) and clinical practice.

Learning outcomes

• To identify the tight links between cognition and emotion
• To learn and be able to describe different neuroscientific (brain-imaging) methods
• To discuss a translational and transdiagnostic approach (and model) in psychiatry
• To link neuroscientific evidence with concrete (clinical) cases or observations in the practice, and the other way around
• To compare different conceptions and models in psychiatry, and to list their respective predictions, advantages, and drawbacks
• To use different levels of analysis in order to better consider and understand psychiatric disorders
• To find and discuss possible solutions for the problems pertaining to both the diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric disorders
• To evaluate dynamic interaction effects occurring in different brain networks and report specific impairments arising in these networks as a result of genetic and/or environmental factors
• To consider and explain current models and taxonomies in psychiatry (and experimental psychopathology) in a critical manner

Teaching methods

Lecture

Extra information on the teaching methods: This course assumes the responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GAI). During the lessons, what this means will be explained.

Assessment

Assessment moments: end-of-term assessment

Examination methods in case of end-of-term assessment during the first examination period: Written assessment with open-ended questions

Examination methods in case of end-of-term assessment during the resit examination period: Written assessment with open-ended questions

Calculation of the examination mark: Written exam counts for 100% of the final mark.

Lecturer

Pourtois, Gilles: lecturer-in-charge

Course dates

This course takes place in the first semester of academic year 2025-2026:

• Educational activities: September 22 to December 12, 2025
• Catch-up activities: December 15 to December 20, 2025
• Christmas recess: December 22, 2025 to January 2, 2026
• Examination period: January 5 to January 31, 2026
• Resit examination period: August 17 to September 12, 2026

There will be one online lecture per week from September 22, 2025 to December 12, 2025. The schedule will be announced later. Lectures will be recorded.

Entry requirements: Basic knowledge of cognitive psychology and research methods in psychology.

Before application: Please check with your home faculty / study programme if the course can be integrated in your curriculum in order to ensure recognition of the ECTS credits obtained

Students from ENLIGHT partner universities are eligible to participate. Students will be selected at each of these universities separately. Students interested in the course need to apply via their home university. The home university will select the permitted number of students, inform the students as soon as possible, and then send these names to the host institution. Unsuccessful students will be placed on a waiting list and may get a place, if other universities do not use all their allocated places. 

Please select your home university below and inform your ENLIGHT coordinator about your interest to participate in the course. Please include information on whether you have clarified recognition with your home faculty.

• University of the Basque Country:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 
• University of Bern:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   
• University of Bordeaux:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   
• Comenius University Bratislava:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  
• University of Galway:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  
• Ghent University:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   
• University of Groningen:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 
• University of Göttingen:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   
• University of Tartu:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 
• Uppsala University: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

For information regarding the procedure to take part in this course: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For information regarding the course content: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.