Related Experiment Videos
Neurobehavioral study of borderline personality disorder
R van Reekum1, C A Conway, D Gansler
1McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Journal of Psychiatry & Neuroscience : JPN
|May 1, 1993
Summary
A study suggests an "organic" subgroup of borderline personality disorder (BPD) may exist. Research found a history of brain injury in most BPD patients, supporting this hypothesis.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- The concept of an
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential existence of an
Main Methods:
- Case-controlled chart review of patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) and a control group.
- Analysis of brain injury history (developmental, acquired, or both) in BPD patients and controls.
- Pilot neuropsychological testing to assess frontal system function in BPD subjects.
Main Results:
- A significant majority of BPD patients (81%) reported a history of brain injury compared to controls (22%).
- A positive correlation was observed between the number of brain injuries and BPD symptom severity.
- Neuropsychological evaluation indicated frontal system dysfunction in most BPD subjects studied.
Conclusions:
- Findings provide empirical support for the existence of an organic subgroup within borderline personality disorder.
- Brain injury may play a significant role in the etiology or presentation of BPD.
- Further research into neurobiological factors in BPD is warranted.