TOPIC

Mental health

Biological basis of mental and behavioral disorders

Mental disorders are associated with changes that involve the central nervous system, endocrine and immune systems in an integrated way.

The study of the biological basis of these disorders aims to understand the processes underlying their onset and to develop innovative strategies for prevention, diagnosis and therapy.

The Italian National Institute of Health (ISS) conducts basic research and clinical studies through an interdisciplinary approach that investigates changes in the social, emotional and cognitive domains, considering multiple levels of analysis, from the genome to the role of the quality of the social and physical environment and of lifestyles.