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Partial seizure-like symptoms in borderline personality disorder
Catherine L. Harris1, Wayne M. Dinn, Jonathan A. Marcinkiewicz
1Department of Psychology, Brain, Behavior and Cognition Program, Boston University, 64 Cummington Street, 02215, Boston, MA, USA
Epilepsy & Behavior : E&B
|March 1, 2003
Summary
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) symptoms may stem from temporolimbic dysfunction, similar to temporal lobe epilepsy. BPD patients reported more seizure symptoms and showed memory and drawing deficits linked to temporolimbic issues.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Borderline personality disorder (BPD) shares behavioral similarities with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE).
- Understanding the neurological underpinnings of BPD is crucial for developing targeted treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential link between temporolimbic dysfunction and the clinical presentation of BPD.
- To explore whether BPD patients exhibit neurological and cognitive patterns resembling those seen in TLE.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Limbic System Checklist-33 to assess temporolimbic symptoms in BPD patients and controls.
- Administered Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure test to evaluate immediate and delayed recall and drawing abilities.
- Correlated self-reported temporolimbic symptoms with cognitive performance.
Main Results:
- BPD subjects reported significantly more symptoms associated with partial seizures compared to control subjects.
- BPD patients demonstrated deficits in both immediate and delayed recall of the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure.
- Impaired cognitive performance, including distorted figure drawings, correlated with reported temporolimbic symptoms.
Conclusions:
- Findings support the hypothesis that temporolimbic dysfunction contributes to the behavioral and affective dysregulation observed in BPD.
- Suggests a potential neurobiological overlap between BPD and TLE, warranting further investigation.
- Highlights the importance of considering neurological factors in the assessment and treatment of BPD.