Structural Brain Abnormalities In Those With BPD
Frontolimbic brain abnormalities in patients with borderline
personality disorder: a volumetric magnetic resonance imaging
study.
We found a significant reduction of hippocampal and amydgala
volumes in borderline personality disorder. There was a
significant 24% reduction of the left orbitofrontal and a 26%
reduction of the right anterior cingulate gyrus.
Biol Psychiatry 2003 Jul 15;54(2):163-71
A study of 21 women with BPD showed that
those with BPD had a 16% reduction in
size of a crucial limbic system component - the
hippocampus. This may partly explain the
memory problems those with BPD usually experience
since the hippocampus is a critical
location for memory. The reduction in
hippocampus size was directly correlated with the
severity of childhood trauma.
The amygdala may have a reduced size as well,
but this has not been
scientifically proven at this time. The
amygdala is another limbic system structure
strongly correlated with an emotional response
to the environment, particularly anger and
rage.
Archives of General Psychiatry, December 2000.
Int J Psychophysiol 2004 Jun;53(1):57-70
"Effects of BPD features and a family history of alcohol or drug dependence on P300 in adolescents."
The "P300 amplitude" (a measurement found on a brain wave test - EEG) is associated with BPD symptoms during adolescence.
Psychiatry Res 2004 Jul 30;131(2):125-33
"Anatomical MRI study of BPD patients"
This study also found diminished hippocampal volumes. Putamen enlargement seems to be due to substance use disorders.
Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2004 Mar;28(2):329-41
"Neurocognitive function in BPD."
Neuropsychological testing implied a dysfunction in the right hemisphere frontotemporal region in BPD individuals.
Psychiatry Res 2004 Jan 1;121(3):239-52
"Neurobiological correlates of diagnosis and underlying traits in patients with BPD compared with normal controls."
Psychological and neurotransmitter testing suggest that serotonin system abnormalities are associated with impulsive traits.
Biol Psychiatry 2004 Apr 1;55(7):759-65 (from Germany)
"A positron emission tomography study of memories of childhood abuse in BPD"
"Dysfunction of dorsolateral and medial prefrontal cortex, including anterior cingulate, seems to be correlated with the recall of traumatic memories in women with BPD. These brain areas might mediate trauma-related symptoms, such as dissociation or affective instability, in patients with BPD."
Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2005; 7(1):65-72
"Neuroimaging and personality disorders"
"Functional and structural studies provide support for
dysfunction in fronto-limbic circuits in BPD and APD, whereas temporal
lobe and basal striatal-thalamic compromise is evident in schizotypal
personality disorder.
Neuroreport 2005; 16(3):289-93
"Distinct pattern of P3a event-related potential in BPD"
"...distinctive disturbances in P3a in (unmedicated) BPD patients
were found: abnormally enhanced amplitude, failure to habituate and a
loss of temporal locking with P3b."
Dev Psychopathol. 2005; 17(4):1197-206
"Defining the neurocircuitry of BPD: functional neuroimaging
approaches"
"Functional neuroimaging...is beginning to identify abnormal
frontolimbic circuitry..."
Clin Neurophysiol. 2005; 116(6):1424=32
"BPD features in adolescent girls: P300 evidence of altered
brain maturation."
"The present findings suggest abnormal brain maturation among
adolescent girls exhibiting features of BPD."
J Psychiatr Res. 2005; 39(5);489-98
"Increased delta power and discrepancies in objective and subjective
sleep measurements in BPD"
"BPD patients showed a tendency for shortened REM latency and
significantly decreased NonREM sleep (stage 2)...There was a marked
discrepancy between objective and subjective sleep measurements, which
indicates an altered perception of sleep in BPD."
Am J Psychiatry 2005; 162(12):2360-73
"BPD, impulsivity, and the orbitofrontal cortex"
"The patients with orbitofrontal cortex lesions and the patients
with BPD performed similarly on several measures. Both groups were
more impulsive and reported more inappropriate behaviors."
(Note: the orbitofrontal cortex is considered part of the limbic system)
