Neural-biopsychosocial (NBPS) Model: An Interview with Dr. David Priede, PhD
- Cindy Hamilton BHSc, MPH
- Jul 19, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
A new way to understand health by integrating the brain, body, mind, and social world.
I recently had the privilege of interviewing Dr. David L. Priede, PhD, the innovative force behind the neurobiopsychosocial (NBPS). From the moment we began speaking, Dr. Priede’s profound passion for advancing a truly complete understanding of health was immediately evident.
What is the NBPS model?
We began by discussing the foundation of his model. Dr. Priede explained, “The neurobiopsychosocial, also known as the Neural-biopsychosocial model, considers four key factors that influence a person’s overall health and well-being: neurological, biological, psychological, and social.” In simple terms, it asks what is happening in the brain, the body, the mind, and the person’s world—and how those pieces fit together.
Dr. Priede emphasized that the NBPS model builds on, but goes beyond, the traditional biopsychosocial model by explicitly including neurological factors as a distinct and testable component. This addition helps translate a holistic philosophy into concrete assessment domains and practical clinical decisions.
The four key factors
Dr. Priede went on to describe each of the four factors with real-world examples.
Neurological factors involve the structure and function of the nervous system, particularly the brain, and their impact on health and behavior. For instance, in Parkinson’s disease, degeneration of neurons in specific brain regions leads to tremors and movement difficulties, showing how neurological changes can affect physical abilities and quality of life.
Biological factors encompass physiological changes and physical health conditions that shape overall well-being. Type 2 diabetes, for example, reflects the body’s difficulty regulating blood sugar and often requires ongoing management through nutrition, activity, and medication.
Psychological factors include mental and emotional aspects such as mood, personality traits, and behavioral patterns that influence health outcomes. Clinical depression illustrates this clearly, with persistent low mood, loss of interest, and sleep changes that can significantly affect both daily functioning and physical health.
Social factors involve environmental and societal elements—culture, socioeconomic status, relationships, and support systems—that shape health and wellness. Social isolation among older adults, for example, is linked with higher risks of depression, cognitive decline, and even earlier mortality, demonstrating how social context can drive health outcomes.
“By integrating these four factors,” Dr. Priede noted, “the NBPS model provides a more holistic and comprehensive understanding of an individual’s health.” This framework supports deeper analysis of how different aspects of a person’s life interact and contribute to well-being or illness.
How NBPS improves on the traditional model
As our discussion deepened, Dr. Priede highlighted why the NBPS model represents an evolution of the classic biopsychosocial perspective.
Table 1 illustrates the critical conceptual shift enabled by the NBPS model:
Model Component | Biopsychosocial (BPS) Interpretation | Neurobiopsychosocial (NBPS) Interpretation |
Neural/Brain Function | Generally subsumed under the 'Biological' domain (often implicitly). | Distinct, primary factor emphasizing neuroplasticity, functional architecture, and specific neural pathways. 5 |
Mechanistic Focus | Theoretical integration; lacked a robust, functional unifying mechanism. 1 | Explicitly seeks functional architecture (e.g., Perceptual Control Theory) to link biochemistry to psychological processes via neural pathways. 1 |
Causation Focus | Acknowledges chronic stress linking psychosocial factors to biological damage. 2 | Demonstrates specific structural and functional alterations in brain regions (e.g., amygdala, PFC) as the direct, quantifiable result of psychological stress and social environment. 7 |
By explicitly including neurological factors, the model offers a more concrete and empirically testable approach. This helps address concerns that previous frameworks were sometimes too broad or hard to operationalize in everyday practice.
“The NBPS model addresses several limitations of the traditional biopsychosocial model,” he explained. “The inclusion of neurological factors gives practitioners clearer guidance on what to consider, making it more efficient to apply in practice.” In short, it keeps the whole-person focus while providing more specific anchors for assessment and intervention.
Putting NBPS into practice at BioLife
The practical application of the model at BioLife Health Center was a particularly compelling part of our conversation. Dr. Priede explained that the clinic implements the framework through structured clinical neurobiopsychosocial assessments.
“These assessments gather valuable information to understand and explain the unique factors affecting each patient’s health condition,” he noted. In practice, this means systematically evaluating neurological and biological markers, psychological status, and social context to avoid missing key contributors to a patient’s symptoms.
Based on these evaluations, BioLife Health Center develops individualized health plans that leverage the latest methods and technologies while adhering to standards from agencies such as the US Department of Health and Human Services, the FDA, and HIPAA. This approach aims to align cutting-edge science with safe, ethical, and person-centered care.
Benefits and challenges of a comprehensive framework
When asked about challenges, Dr. Priede acknowledged that such a comprehensive model demands careful implementation and can face practical hurdles in busy clinical environments. It requires training, time, and coordination across disciplines to fully realize its promise.
Yet he remains optimistic that the benefits outweigh the difficulties. “Providing a more structured and inclusive framework offers the potential for improved understanding and treatment of complex health conditions,” he said, underscoring the value of systematically considering brain, body, mind, and social context together.
Aligning with modern research and technology
As our interview drew to a close, Dr. Priede emphasized how well the NBPS model aligns with current trends in neuroscience and integrative health research. By incorporating neurological components explicitly, the model connects more closely with emerging evidence from neuroimaging, neuroplasticity studies, and brain-based interventions.
This alignment supports more targeted interventions that address both neurological and psychosocial aspects of health. For example, combining brain-focused tools such as neurofeedback with tailored psychological therapies and social support reflects the kind of integrated care pathway the NBPS framework encourages.
A more complete picture of health
Walking away from my conversation with Dr. Priede, I was struck by the potential impact of the neural-biopsychosocial model on the future of healthcare. By bridging the gap between neuroscience and the broader biopsychosocial perspective, it offers a truly integrated path to understanding and treating complex conditions.
“By considering neurological, biological, psychological, and social factors together, we aim to provide a more complete picture of an individual’s health and offer tailored solutions,” he summarized. For clinicians, the NBPS model is an invitation to think more systematically about the many threads that make up a patient’s story; for patients, it is a reminder that their brain, body, mind, and environment all matter—and all deserve attention in the healing process.
For readers interested in going deeper, additional resources on the NBPS model of health and its applications are available through BioLife Health Center’s educational materials and publications.
For more information, please visit the NBPS model of health.
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About Cindy Hamilton BHSc, MPH
As Director of Environmental Health at BioLife Health Research Center, I lead efforts to educate, train, and regulate environmental practices across private and public sectors. My passion lies in ensuring the quality of essential resources. This dynamic role keeps me constantly learning and deeply engaged in the rewarding work of promoting public health. Follow me on Linkedin.
