The Neurobiological Basis of Adolescent-onset Borderline Personality Disorder

Over the past two decades, neurobiological studies in adult onset borderline personality disorder have made important strides, but inquiry into adolescent-onset BPD is still in its infancy and our understanding of the neurobiology of adolescent BPD remains highly tentative.

This paper highlights recent findings in genetics, neuroendocrinology and neuroimaging for adult and adolescent-onset BPD.

Neurobiological studies of adolescent-onset BPD to date have focused mainly on volumetric studies of various brain regions and measurements of HPA axis components, with comparatively few publications on brain functioning.

Such information is essential to developing more effective screening, treatment and preventive strategies.