The WPA Section on Psychoneurobiology is dedicated to the complex interaction between brain function and mental health, with particular attention to the biological mechanisms underlying psychiatric disorders. The Section investigates how neurobiological systems—such as neural circuits, neurotransmitters, immune responses, and hormonal pathways—interact with cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning. This integrative approach provides critical insights into the mechanisms that underlie mental illness, from early vulnerability factors to clinical manifestations and treatment responses.

The Section aims to:
- Promote interdisciplinary research by integrating knowledge from neuroscience, psychiatry, neuroimaging, psychoneuroimmunology, and cognitive science
- Enhance the understanding of the neurobiological basis of psychopathology across different diagnostic categories
- Encourage the translation of scientific findings into clinical practice, improving assessment, diagnosis, and treatment
- Facilitate international dialogue and collaboration among researchers, clinicians, and early-career professionals
- Support education and dissemination of emerging evidence on brain-based mechanisms in mental health

By fostering a neurobiologically informed approach to psychiatry, the Section contributes to advancing innovation, personalisation, and scientific rigor in mental health care.