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Reichl C, Schär S, Lerch S, Hedinger N, Brunner R, Koenig J, Kaess M. Two-year course of non-suicidal self-injury in an adolescent clinical cohort: The role of childhood adversity in interaction with cortisol secretion. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2024; 167:107093. [PMID: 38889567 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2024.107093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2024] [Revised: 04/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
AIM Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a highly prevalent phenomenon during adolescence. Nonetheless, research on predictors of the clinical course of NSSI over time is still scarce. The present study aimed at investigating the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACE) and hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis functioning on the longitudinal course of NSSI. METHODS In a sample of n = 51 help-seeking adolescents engaging in NSSI, diurnal cortisol secretion (CAR, cortisol awakening response; DSL, diurnal slope), hair cortisol concentrations and ACE were assessed at baseline. Clinical outcome was defined by change in the frequency of NSSI in the past 6 months measured 12 and 24 months after the baseline assessments. Mixed-effects linear regression models were used to test for effects of ACE and HPA axis functioning on the course of NSSI. RESULTS ACE and HPA axis functioning did not show main but interaction effects in the prediction of NSSI frequency over time: Adolescents with a low severity of ACE and either an increased CAR or a flattened DSL showed a steep decline of NSSI frequency in the first year followed by a subsequent increase of NSSI frequency in the second year. CONCLUSIONS Our findings could be interpreted in the sense of high diurnal cortisol concentrations in the absence of ACE being favorable for clinical improvement on the short-term but bearing a risk of allostatic load and subsequent increase of NSSI frequency. In contrast, adolescents with severe ACE may benefit from elevated cortisol concentrations leading to slower but lasting decreases of NSSI frequency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corinna Reichl
- University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Selina Schär
- University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Stefan Lerch
- University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Nicole Hedinger
- University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Romuald Brunner
- Clinic of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Germany
| | - Julian Koenig
- Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University of Cologne, Germany
| | - Michael Kaess
- University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Switzerland; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Centre for Psychosocial Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Germany.
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2
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Xu B, Li F, Zhang Z, Xiao Q. The use of optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography in borderline personality disorder compared to health control subjects. CNS Neurosci Ther 2024; 30:e14699. [PMID: 38529526 PMCID: PMC10964035 DOI: 10.1111/cns.14699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Optical coherence tomography (OCT) or OCT angiography (OCTA) has been investigated in few research studies of psychiatric disorders. No research has been done using OCT or OCTA in patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD). METHODS OCTA measured foveal avascular zone (FAZ), macular vessel density (MVD), and peripapillary vessel density (PVD). OCT measured the peripapillary retinal fiber layer (RNFL) and central retinal thickness (CRT). The study utilized the Ottawa Self-Injury Inventory, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA), and Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) to assess the symptom characteristics of individuals with BPD. RESULTS Fifty-nine eyes of BPD patients and 58 eyes of normal subjects were analyzed, MVD of the superficial retinal capillary plexus declined noticeably in most subfields (p < 0.05). Significant differences were observed in the whole inner ring and outer ring index between BPD and HC groups (p < 0.05). The patients with BPD exhibited lower RNFL and CRT, the difference was significant (p < 0.05). CRT indicated a significant negative correlation with the Ottawa Self-Injury Inventory (p < 0.05). In addition, we observed that there was a negative correlation identified between the MVD of the inner ring and HAMA (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the MVD of the outer ring was positively correlated with GAF (p < 0.05). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROCs) for distinguishing BPD and HC eyes in OCTA were the highest for fovea MVD (0.679), followed by outer ring MVD (0.669), inner ring MVD (0.641), FAZ (0.579). In OCT, CRT was highest for BPD (0.711), followed by RNFL (0.625). CONCLUSION The OCT and OCTA can non-invasively detect microvascular and morphology changes of the retina in BPD patients compared to healthy control subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bei Xu
- Eye Center of Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
- Hunan Key Laboratory of OphthalmologyCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
- National Key Clinical Ophthalmology Specialist, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
- Hunan Provincial Branch of the National Clinical Medical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Fangling Li
- Eye Center of Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
- Hunan Key Laboratory of OphthalmologyCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
- National Key Clinical Ophthalmology Specialist, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
- Hunan Provincial Branch of the National Clinical Medical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Zhejia Zhang
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
| | - Qian Xiao
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
- Mental Health Center of Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
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3
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Leichsenring F, Fonagy P, Heim N, Kernberg OF, Leweke F, Luyten P, Salzer S, Spitzer C, Steinert C. Borderline personality disorder: a comprehensive review of diagnosis and clinical presentation, etiology, treatment, and current controversies. World Psychiatry 2024; 23:4-25. [PMID: 38214629 PMCID: PMC10786009 DOI: 10.1002/wps.21156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) was introduced in the DSM-III in 1980. From the DSM-III to the DSM-5, no major changes have occurred in its defining criteria. The disorder is characterized by instability of self-image, interpersonal relationships and affects. Further symptoms include impulsivity, intense anger, feelings of emptiness, strong abandonment fears, suicidal or self-mutilation behavior, and transient stress-related paranoid ideation or severe dissociative symptoms. There is evidence that BPD can be reliably diagnosed and differentiated from other mental disorders by semi-structured interviews. The disorder is associated with considerable functional impairment, intensive treatment utilization, and high societal costs. The risk of self-mutilation and suicide is high. In the general adult population, the lifetime prevalence of BPD has been reported to be from 0.7 to 2.7%, while its prevalence is about 12% in outpatient and 22% in inpatient psychiatric services. BPD is significantly associated with other mental disorders, including depressive disorders, substance use disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, bipolar disorder, bulimia nervosa, and other personality disorders. There is convincing evidence to suggest that the interaction between genetic factors and adverse childhood experiences plays a central role in the etiology of BPD. In spite of considerable research, the neurobiological underpinnings of the disorder remain to be clarified. Psychotherapy is the treatment of choice for BPD. Various approaches have been empirically supported in randomized controlled trials, including dialectical behavior therapy, mentalization-based therapy, transference-focused therapy, and schema therapy. No approach has proved to be superior to others. Compared to treatment as usual, psychotherapy has proved to be more efficacious, with effect sizes between 0.50 and 0.65 with regard to core BPD symptom severity. However, almost half of the patients do not respond sufficiently to psychotherapy, and further research in this area is warranted. It is not clear whether some patients may benefit more from one psychotherapeutic approach than from others. No evidence is available consistently showing that any psychoactive medication is efficacious for the core features of BPD. For discrete and severe comorbid anxiety or depressive symptoms or psychotic-like features, pharmacotherapy may be useful. Early diagnosis and treatment of BPD can reduce individual suffering and societal costs. However, more high-quality studies are required, in both adolescents and adults. This review provides a comprehensive update of the BPD diagnosis and clinical characterization, risk factors, neurobiology, cognition, and management. It also discusses the current controversies concerning the disorder, and highlights the areas in which further research is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Falk Leichsenring
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Peter Fonagy
- Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Nikolas Heim
- International Psychoanalytic University, Berlin, Germany
| | - Otto F Kernberg
- Personality Disorders Institute, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Frank Leweke
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Patrick Luyten
- Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, UK
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Simone Salzer
- International Psychoanalytic University, Berlin, Germany
| | - Carsten Spitzer
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Christiane Steinert
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- International Psychoanalytic University, Berlin, Germany
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4
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Çam F, Sevik MO, Aykut A, Dericioğlu V, Şahin Çam C, Şahin Ö. Dysfunctional personality beliefs and psychopathology in patients with central serous chorioretinopathy. J Fr Ophtalmol 2024; 47:103997. [PMID: 37919151 DOI: 10.1016/j.jfo.2023.05.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To assess dysfunctional personality beliefs associated with specific personality disorders (PD), as well as psychopathological symptoms and psychological distress levels in central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS This cross-sectional study included acute and chronic CSC patients and age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers. Dysfunctional personality beliefs and psychopathological symptoms assessed with Personality Belief Questionnaire-Short Form and Symptom Check List-90 Revised (SCL-90-R), respectively, were compared between CSC patients and healthy volunteers and between acute and chronic CSC patients. MAIN RESULTS Of the 55 CSC patients included in the study analysis, 21 (38.2%) had acute and 34 (61.8%) chronic CSC. Avoidant PD (13.92±3.79 vs. 12.03±3.98, P=0.012) and obsessive-compulsive PD (13.94±3.95 vs. 12.27±3.75, P=0.025) scores on the PBQ-SF were significantly higher in CSC patients than in healthy volunteers. The PBQ-SF scores were similar between acute and chronic CSC patients. CSC patients scored significantly higher on the general severity index (GSI) and all symptom dimensions except phobic anxiety and psychoticism on the SCL-90-R. In addition, scores for obsessive-compulsive, depression, interpersonal sensitivity, paranoid ideation, and GSI were significantly higher in acute than in chronic CSC patients. CONCLUSIONS This first study investigating the relationship between CSC and dysfunctional personality beliefs indicates that CSC patients have higher levels of dysfunctional beliefs related to avoidant and obsessive-compulsive PD than healthy volunteers. These findings present a new aspect of the personality profile of CSC patients and point to a target for intervention, i.e., dysfunctional beliefs, through a cognitive-psychiatric approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Çam
- Department of Ophthalmology, Marmara University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - M O Sevik
- Department of Ophthalmology, Marmara University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - A Aykut
- Department of Ophthalmology, Marmara University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - V Dericioğlu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Marmara University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - C Şahin Çam
- Department of Psychiatry, Marmara University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ö Şahin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Marmara University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
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5
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Dworsky-Fried M, Tchida JA, Krnel R, Ismail N. Enduring sex-dependent implications of pubertal stress on the gut-brain axis and mental health. Front Behav Neurosci 2024; 17:1285475. [PMID: 38274549 PMCID: PMC10808663 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1285475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The gut-brain axis (GBA) is a network responsible for the bidirectional communication between the central nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract. This multifaceted system is comprised of a complex microbiota, which may be altered by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. During critical periods of development, these intrinsic and extrinsic factors can cause long-lasting sex-dependent changes in the GBA, which can affect brain structure and function. However, there is limited understanding of how the GBA is altered by stress and how it may be linked to the onset of mental illness during puberty. This article reviews current literature on the relationships between the GBA, the effects of stress during puberty, and the implications for mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jessica A. Tchida
- NISE Laboratory, School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Rebecca Krnel
- NISE Laboratory, School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Nafissa Ismail
- NISE Laboratory, School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- LIFE Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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Kulakova E, Graumann L, Wingenfeld K. The Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis and Social Cognition in Borderline Personality Disorder. Curr Neuropharmacol 2024; 22:378-394. [PMID: 37539934 PMCID: PMC10845078 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x21666230804085639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is characterized by emotional instability, impulsivity and unstable interpersonal relationships. Patients experience discomforting levels of distress, inducing symptoms like dissociation, aggression or withdrawal. Social situations are particularly challenging, and acute social stress can reduce patients' cognitive and social functioning. In patients with Major Depressive Disorder or Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, which show high comorbidity with BPD, the endocrine stress response is characterized by Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis dysfunction, which affects cognitive functioning. Compared to these clinical groups, research on HPA-axis function in BPD is relatively scarce, but evidence points towards a blunted cortisol reactivity to acute stress. Since BPD patients are particularly prone to social stress and experience high subjective difficulties in these situations, it seems plausible that HPA-axis dysregulation might contribute to decreased social cognition in BPD. The present review summarizes findings on the HPA-axis function in BPD and its association with social cognition following acute social stress. For this purpose, we review literature that employed a widely used social stressor (Trier Social Stress Test, TSST) to study the effects of acute social stress on social cognition and the HPA-axis response. We contrast these findings with studies on social cognition that employed Cyberball, another widely used social stressor that lacks HPA-axis involvement. We conclude that research on social cognition in BPD reveals heterogeneous results with no clear relationship between social functioning and HPA-axis response. More research is needed to better understand the psychophysiological underpinnings of impaired social cognition in BPD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugenia Kulakova
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Livia Graumann
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Katja Wingenfeld
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
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7
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Goreis A, Prillinger K, Bedus C, Lipp R, Mayer A, Nater UM, Koenig J, Plener PL, Kothgassner OD. Physiological stress reactivity and self-harm: A meta-analysis. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2023; 158:106406. [PMID: 37783020 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2023.106406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Self-harm is associated with alterations in the psychobiological stress response. Specifically, the reactivity of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and the endocrine hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis may differ in individuals who engage in self-harm. However, evidence in this regard is inconsistent. BACKGROUND We conducted a preregistered random-effects meta-analysis of sympathetic ANS, parasympathetic ANS, sympathetic-parasympathetic, i.e., mixed-influence ANS, and HPA axis reactivity following laboratory stress exposure in individuals who engage in self-harm and controls. Stress exposure consisted of paradigms using either social-evaluative (e.g., TSST), emotional (e.g., negatively valenced visual stimuli), or physical (e.g., cold pressor test) challenges. A total of 29 studies (self-harm: n = 954, controls: n = 1122, 74% females) were included in the analysis. RESULTS Regarding ANS reactivity to stress, no differences emerged between the two groups. However, parasympathetic ANS activity was lower before stress (g = -0.30, CI -0.51 to -0.09) and after stressor cessation (g = 0.54, CI -1.07 to -0.01) in the self-harm group compared to controls. Regarding HPA axis reactivity, individuals who engage in self-harm showed significantly lower cortisol responses to stress than did controls (g = -0.26, CI -0.45 to -0.08). After stressor cessation (i.e., during stress recovery), cortisol was also lower in individuals who engage in self-harm compared to controls (g = -0.26, CI -0.43 to -0.08). CONCLUSIONS Lower basal parasympathetic ANS activity and flattened cortisol responses indicate dysregulation of psychobiological stress systems in individuals who engage in self-harm. A better understanding of the psychobiological underpinnings of self-harm may allow for the establishment of biomarkers of risk stratification and treatment monitoring in affected individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Goreis
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Comprehensive Center for Pediatrics (CCP), Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Karin Prillinger
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Comprehensive Center for Pediatrics (CCP), Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Carolin Bedus
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ronja Lipp
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Anna Mayer
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Urs M Nater
- Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; University Research Platform "The Stress of Life - Processes and Mechanisms Underlying Everyday Life Stress", University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Julian Koenig
- University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Cologne, Germany
| | - Paul L Plener
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Comprehensive Center for Pediatrics (CCP), Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Oswald D Kothgassner
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Comprehensive Center for Pediatrics (CCP), Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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8
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Petruso F, Giff A, Milano B, De Rossi M, Saccaro L. Inflammation and emotion regulation: a narrative review of evidence and mechanisms in emotion dysregulation disorders. Neuronal Signal 2023; 7:NS20220077. [PMID: 38026703 PMCID: PMC10653990 DOI: 10.1042/ns20220077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Emotion dysregulation (ED) describes a difficulty with the modulation of which emotions are felt, as well as when and how these emotions are experienced or expressed. It is a focal overarching symptom in many severe and prevalent neuropsychiatric diseases, including bipolar disorders (BD), attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and borderline personality disorder (BPD). In all these disorders, ED can manifest through symptoms of depression, anxiety, or affective lability. Considering the many symptomatic similarities between BD, ADHD, and BPD, a transdiagnostic approach is a promising lens of investigation. Mounting evidence supports the role of peripheral inflammatory markers and stress in the multifactorial aetiology and physiopathology of BD, ADHD, and BPD. Of note, neural circuits that regulate emotions appear particularly vulnerable to inflammatory insults and peripheral inflammation, which can impact the neuroimmune milieu of the central nervous system. Thus far, few studies have examined the link between ED and inflammation in BD, ADHD, and BPD. To our knowledge, no specific work has provided a critical comparison of the results from these disorders. To fill this gap in the literature, we review the known associations and mechanisms linking ED and inflammation in general, and clinically, in BD, ADHD, and BD. Our narrative review begins with an examination of the routes linking ED and inflammation, followed by a discussion of disorder-specific results accounting for methodological limitations and relevant confounding factors. Finally, we critically discuss both correspondences and discrepancies in the results and comment on potential vulnerability markers and promising therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alexis E. Giff
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Beatrice A. Milano
- Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies, Pisa, Italy
- University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Luigi Francesco Saccaro
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Psychiatry, Geneva University Hospital, Switzerland
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9
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Dell’Osso L, Nardi B, Bonelli C, Gravina D, Benedetti F, Amatori G, Battaglini S, Massimetti G, Luciano M, Berardelli I, Brondino N, De Gregorio M, Deste G, Nola M, Reitano A, Muscatello MRA, Pompili M, Politi P, Vita A, Carmassi C, Cremone IM, Carpita B, Maj M. Investigating suicidality across the autistic-catatonic continuum in a clinical sample of subjects with major depressive disorder and borderline personality disorder. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1124241. [PMID: 37275986 PMCID: PMC10234210 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1124241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Recent literature has highlighted that catatonia may be more prevalent among psychiatric patients than previously thought, beginning from autism spectrum disorders (ASD), for which it has been suggested to represent a severe late consequence, but also among individuals with mood disorders and borderline personality disorder (BPD). Interestingly, one critical point shared by these conditions is the increased risk of suicidality. The aim of this study was to evaluate how the presence and the prevalence of catatonic symptoms may shape and correlate with suicidal risk in a sample of individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD) or BPD. Methods We recruited two clinical samples of subjects (BPD and MDD) and a control group without a diagnosis according to DSM-5 (CTL). Subjects were assessed with the catatonia spectrum (CS) and the MOODS-SR for evaluating suicidality. Results In the total sample, suicidality score was significantly and positively correlated with all CS domains and CS total score. Correlation and regression analyses highlighted specific patterns of association among Catatonia spectrum domains and suicidality in the MDD and BPD group and in the total sample. Conclusion In both disorders, higher catatonic traits are linked to higher suicidal tendencies, confirming the high risk of suicide for this population. However, different patterns of association between catatonic symptoms and suicidality were highlighted in the two disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liliana Dell’Osso
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Benedetta Nardi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Chiara Bonelli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Davide Gravina
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesca Benedetti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giulia Amatori
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Simone Battaglini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Gabriele Massimetti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Mario Luciano
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | - Isabella Berardelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health and Sense Organs, University of Roma “La Sapienza”, Rome, Italy
| | - Natascia Brondino
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Marianna De Gregorio
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Giacomo Deste
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Marta Nola
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Antonino Reitano
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | | | - Maurizio Pompili
- Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health and Sense Organs, University of Roma “La Sapienza”, Rome, Italy
| | - Pierluigi Politi
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Antonio Vita
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Claudia Carmassi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Ivan Mirko Cremone
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Barbara Carpita
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Mario Maj
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
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10
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Plett O, Flasbeck V, Brüne M. Effects of human and animal-assisted skills training on oxytocin und cortisol levels in patients with borderline personality disorder. J Psychiatr Res 2023; 162:156-160. [PMID: 37156130 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2023.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is characterised, among other symptoms, by emotional instability and difficulties in regulating proximity to significant others. Many with BPD have difficulties in establishing a trustful therapeutic relationship, which often develop before a background of adverse childhood experiences with caregivers. One way to facilitate therapeutic interaction in psychotherapy incorporates pet animals as "door openers". No study exists, however, that has examined the effect of animal-assisted versus human-guided skills training on neurobiological correlates of affiliation and stress regulation, i.e. oxytocin and cortisol. METHODS Twenty in-patients diagnosed with BPD were recruited to participate in an animal-assisted skills-training. Another 20 in-patients participated in a human-guided skills-training. Salivary samples of both groups were taken for determining oxytocin and cortisol before and immediately after 3 therapeutic sessions at least one week apart from one another. In addition, borderline symptom severity (BSL-23), impulsivity (BIS-15), alexithymia (TAS-20), and fear of compassion (FOCS) were determined by self-rating questionnaires before and after the 6-week interventions. RESULTS Both therapeutic interventions led to a significant reduction in cortisol and an (non-significant) increase in oxytocin, respectively. Importantly, there was a statistically significant interaction between changes in cortisol and oxytocin, independent of group. Both groups further showed clinical improvement as measured using the above-listed questionnaires. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that both animal-assisted and human-guided interventions have measurable short-term effects on affiliative and stress hormones, with no approach being superior to the other in this regard.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Plett
- LWL University Hospital Bochum, Division of Social Neuropsychiatry and Evolutionary Medicine, Ruhr University, 44791, Bochum, NRW, Germany
| | - Vera Flasbeck
- LWL University Hospital Bochum, Division of Social Neuropsychiatry and Evolutionary Medicine, Ruhr University, 44791, Bochum, NRW, Germany
| | - Martin Brüne
- LWL University Hospital Bochum, Division of Social Neuropsychiatry and Evolutionary Medicine, Ruhr University, 44791, Bochum, NRW, Germany.
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Adolescent non-suicidal self-injury during the COVID-19 pandemic: A prospective longitudinal study of biological predictors of maladaptive emotion regulation. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2023; 151:106056. [PMID: 36822129 PMCID: PMC9922437 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2023.106056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) in adolescence is thought to stem from interactions between vulnerability in developing biological systems and experience of stressors. The current study assesses whether multiple levels of the stress system's response to threat could prospectively predict NSSI engagement during the COVID-19 pandemic, a shared, time-locked stressor. METHODS Participants were 64 female adolescents (ages 12-16) from community and clinical settings who were oversampled for NSSI histories. Prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, adolescents completed a protocol that measured hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis response to a social stressor (via salivary cortisol), amygdala volume, amygdala emotion-evoked activation, and frontolimbic resting-state functional connectivity. During early months of the pandemic (Summer 2020), measures of NSSI behavior (Inventory of Statements About Self-Injury), emotion regulation difficulties (Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale), perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale), and pandemic-related stressors (Epidemic Pandemic Impacts Inventory) were collected. Multinomial logistic regression was used to assess if pre-pandemic biomarkers predicted mid-pandemic NSSI engagement: persistence of NSSI (Persist; N = 21), cessation of NSSI (Desist; N = 26), and no history of NSSI (Never; N = 17). Linear regressions explored if pre-pandemic biomarkers predicted mid-pandemic difficulties in emotion regulation and perceived stress. RESULTS Higher pre-pandemic overall cortisol response to stress and amygdala emotion-evoked activation characterized adolescents who persisted in NSSI, compared to those who desisted. These findings remained significant when controlling for pandemic related stressors. Lower prepandemic cortisol reactivity predicted more difficulties in emotion regulation during the pandemic. This finding did not remain significant after controlling for pandemic related stressors. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest that patterns in key biological threat response systems may confer vulnerability for risk outcomes including NSSI engagement in adolescent females in the context of a shared, novel, naturally-occurring stressor. The results point to the importance of multi-level, longitudinal approaches for understanding the interface between developing neurobiological systems and experiential stress in at-risk adolescents. Identified patterns give insight into potential risk assessment strategies based on an understanding of the multi-level threat response.
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12
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South AJ, Barkus E, Walter EE, Mendonca C, Thomas SJ. Dark Triad Personality Traits, Second-to-Forth Digit Ratio (2D:4D) and Circulating Testosterone and Cortisol Levels. Biol Psychol 2023; 179:108567. [PMID: 37086902 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2023.108567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/24/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Dark Triad (DT) personality traits (psychopathy, Machiavellianism, and narcissism) show sex differences and associations with hormones. Understanding aetiology may assist in mitigating the harm of these potentially adverse characteristics. Low second-to-fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) is hypothesised to be a marker of high prenatal testosterone exposure and may provide important information about organisational hormones. The aim of the present study was to measure Dark Triad and Big 5 personality traits in relation to digit ratio, salivary testosterone, and cortisol. METHODS A non-clinical sample (N=268; 49.25% Female, age M25.20 ± 8.77yrs) completed the Short Dark Triad and International Personality Inventory Pool - Mini. Afternoon saliva was analysed for testosterone and cortisol, and 2D:4D finger ratios were measured. RESULTS Males scored higher on DT traits than females. Females scored higher on Big 5 agreeableness and neuroticism. Males had higher testosterone and cortisol levels and lower 2D:4D than females. Digit ratio correlated inversely with salivary testosterone, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy. Testosterone levels correlated positively with cortisol levels and psychopathy and negatively with agreeableness, neuroticism, and Machiavellianism. CONCLUSIONS These results provide indications that Machiavellianism and psychopathy (Dark Triad) traits, but not narcissism or Big 5 traits, are linked to markers of prenatal testosterone exposure. Results also replicate sex differences seen in 2D:4D digit ratios, with males having a shorter second-relative-to-forth finger. Links between circulating testosterone, digit ratios, cortisol and personality traits provide further information about potential biological bases of personality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra J South
- Graduate School of Medicine, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, NSW, Australia, 2522; School of Psychology, Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Wollongong, NSW, Australia, 2522; Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia, 2522.
| | - Emma Barkus
- School of Psychology, Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Wollongong, NSW, Australia, 2522; Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.
| | - Emma E Walter
- School of Psychology, Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Wollongong, NSW, Australia, 2522; School of Psychology, Western Sydney University, Bankstown, NSW, Australia, 2214.
| | - Carley Mendonca
- School of Psychology, Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Wollongong, NSW, Australia, 2522
| | - Susan J Thomas
- Graduate School of Medicine, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, NSW, Australia, 2522; Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia, 2522.
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13
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Fleck L, Fuchs A, Lerch S, Möhler E, Koenig J, Resch F, Kaess M. Adolescent borderline personality traits and dyadic behavior shape mother-adolescent cortisol synchrony. Borderline Personal Disord Emot Dysregul 2023; 10:12. [PMID: 37041602 PMCID: PMC10091616 DOI: 10.1186/s40479-023-00218-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 04/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Associations between parent and child cortisol levels ("cortisol synchrony") are often reported and positive synchrony may mark dyadic regulation on a physiological level. Although dyadic behavior during interaction and adolescent borderline personality disorder (BPD) traits are linked with individual and dyadic regulatory capacities, little is known about how both factors influence parent-adolescent cortisol synchrony. We hypothesized that cortisol synchrony would differ depending on behavioral synchrony, i.e., smooth reciprocal dyadic interaction patterns, adolescent BPD traits, and their interactions. METHODS Multilevel state-trait modeling was implemented to investigate associations between concurrent mother-adolescent state cortisol and mother-adolescent average cortisol levels in a community sample of 76 mother-adolescent dyads. Three saliva samples were collected across interaction paradigms. Behavioral synchrony was observed, and adolescent BPD traits were evaluated using clinical interviews. RESULTS First, behavioral synchrony and absence of BPD traits were linked with positive associations between adolescent and maternal state cortisol (positive synchrony), BPD traits with negative associations (negative synchrony). When interaction effects were examined, results were more nuanced. In low-risk dyads (higher behavioral synchrony, no BPD traits) asynchrony was found. When risk (BPD traits) and resource (higher behavioral synchrony) were combined, synchrony was positive. Lastly, in high-risk dyads (lower behavioral synchrony, adolescent BPD traits), negative synchrony was observed. Average adolescent and maternal cortisol levels were consistently positively associated in dyads with higher risk. CONCLUSIONS Positive dyadic interaction patterns are associated with positive state cortisol synchrony in mother-adolescent dyads and could buffer the effect of BPD traits, possibly supporting the process of physiological regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonie Fleck
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Centre for Psychosocial Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Institute of Psychology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Anna Fuchs
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Centre for Psychosocial Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stefan Lerch
- University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bolligenstrasse 111, 3000, Bern 60, Switzerland
| | - Eva Möhler
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Centre for Psychosocial Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg, Germany
| | - Julian Koenig
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Franz Resch
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Centre for Psychosocial Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael Kaess
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Centre for Psychosocial Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
- University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bolligenstrasse 111, 3000, Bern 60, Switzerland.
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Mielke EL, Koenig J, Herpertz SC, Steinmann S, Neukel C, Kilavuz P, van der Venne P, Bertsch K, Kaess M. Adverse childhood experiences mediate the negative association between borderline personality disorder symptoms and plasma oxytocin. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2023; 125:110749. [PMID: 36924878 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2023.110749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2022] [Revised: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
Background Interpersonal dysfunction is a core symptom of borderline personality disorder (BPD) and may be closely linked to adverse childhood experiences. According to a recent model on the pathology of BPD, the neuropeptide oxytocin might play an important role in the development and maintenance of the disorder. However, so far, only few studies with small adult samples have reported reduced baseline oxytocin levels in BPD that may be linked to adverse childhood experiences. Methods We examined baseline plasma oxytocin levels in 131 female patients with BPD and 124 non-BPD female controls across a large age span (12-50 years). Additionally, 113 female patients with less than five DSM-IV BPD features were included to examine the association between plasma oxytocin levels and the number of fulfilled BPD criteria. We also explored associations between plasma oxytocin and adverse childhood experiences as well as depressive symptoms in BPD. Results Patients with BPD had reduced plasma oxytocin levels compared to non-BPD controls and this was independent of age. Plasma oxytocin was negatively associated with the number of fulfilled BPD criteria. The exploratory regression model revealed no association between plasma oxytocin and depressive symptoms but an association between plasma oxytocin and adverse childhood experiences, which in fact mediated the relationship between BPD criteria und plasma oxytocin. Conclusion In a large sample of individuals with BPD across a large age span, our results replicate and extend previous reports of reduced plasma oxytocin levels that might be related to adverse childhood experiences thus providing further evidence for a prominent role of oxytocin in BPD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilia L Mielke
- Department of General Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Heidelberg, Voßstraße 4, 69115 Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Julian Koenig
- University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Robert-Koch-Straße 10, 50931 Cologne, Germany; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Centre of Psychosocial Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Heidelberg, Blumenstr. 8, 69115 Heidelberg, Germany; University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bolligenstrasse 111, 3000 Bern 60, Switzerland
| | - Sabine C Herpertz
- Department of General Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Heidelberg, Voßstraße 4, 69115 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sylvia Steinmann
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychotherapeutic Medicine, Central Institute of Mental Health Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, J 5, 68159 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Corinne Neukel
- Department of General Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Heidelberg, Voßstraße 4, 69115 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Pelin Kilavuz
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Centre of Psychosocial Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Heidelberg, Blumenstr. 8, 69115 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Patrice van der Venne
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Centre of Psychosocial Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Heidelberg, Blumenstr. 8, 69115 Heidelberg, Germany; Institute of Psychology, University of Heidelberg, Hauptstr. 47- 51, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Katja Bertsch
- Department of General Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Heidelberg, Voßstraße 4, 69115 Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Leopoldstr. 13, 80802 Munich, Germany
| | - Michael Kaess
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Centre of Psychosocial Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Heidelberg, Blumenstr. 8, 69115 Heidelberg, Germany; University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bolligenstrasse 111, 3000 Bern 60, Switzerland
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Kroener J, Schaitz C, Karabatsiakis A, Maier A, Connemann B, Schmied E, Sosic-Vasic Z. Relationship Dysfunction in Couples When One Partner Is Diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder: Findings from a Pilot Study. Behav Sci (Basel) 2023; 13:bs13030253. [PMID: 36975278 PMCID: PMC10045094 DOI: 10.3390/bs13030253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Relationship dysfunction—marked by frequent conflicts—is one of the hallmark features of borderline personality disorder (BPD). However, the BPD couple as a dyad and partner-related features have rarely been taken into account. The aim of the present study was to investigate hormonal, personality, and relationship relevant factors, such as relationship satisfaction, attachment, and trauma in both partners within a dyad where one partner is diagnosed with BPD. The total sample consisted of 26 heterosexual couples. All studies were conducted at 2 p.m. Primary outcomes: Neo-Five-Factor-Inventory, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, Experiences in Close Relationships Scale. Secondary outcomes: Problem List, Partnership Questionnaire, Questionnaire for Assessing Dyadic Coping. Upon questionnaire completion, one saliva sample was taken via passive drool to assess baseline cortisol and testosterone levels. Results showed that females with BPD have higher scores on childhood maltreatment, dysfunctional attachment styles, and neuroticism than mentally healthy females. Furthermore, they have more relationship-related problems and are less satisfied in their romantic relationship. Male partners of women with BPD showed lower testosterone levels, higher levels of childhood maltreatment, dysfunctional attachment styles, neuroticism, and openness compared with the healthy control partners. Furthermore, childhood trauma, neuroticism as well as dysfunctional attachment styles displayed a significant positive correlation with relationship-related problems. Traumatic childhood experiences, insecure attachment styles as well as neurotic personality characteristics contribute to increased relationship disruptions in couples. Relevant hormonal and psychosocial parameters in BPD partners should be taken into account when treating females with BPD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Kroener
- Christophsbad Goeppingen, Research Division of Applied Psychotherapy and Psychiatry, Faurndauer Straße 6-28, 73035 Goeppingen, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy III, University Clinic of Ulm, 89075 Ulm, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-7161-601-8672
| | - Caroline Schaitz
- MSB Medical School Berlin, Psychotherapeutic Outpatient Facility, Rüdesheimer Straße 50, 14197 Berlin, Germany
| | - Alexander Karabatsiakis
- Department of Psychology, Clinical Psychology II, University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Anna Maier
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy III, University Clinic of Ulm, 89075 Ulm, Germany
| | - Bernhard Connemann
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy III, University Clinic of Ulm, 89075 Ulm, Germany
| | - Elisa Schmied
- Christophsbad Goeppingen, Research Division of Applied Psychotherapy and Psychiatry, Faurndauer Straße 6-28, 73035 Goeppingen, Germany
| | - Zrinka Sosic-Vasic
- Christophsbad Goeppingen, Research Division of Applied Psychotherapy and Psychiatry, Faurndauer Straße 6-28, 73035 Goeppingen, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy III, University Clinic of Ulm, 89075 Ulm, Germany
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16
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Abstract
IMPORTANCE Borderline personality disorder (BPD) affects approximately 0.7% to 2.7% of adults in the US. The disorder is associated with considerable social and vocational impairments and greater use of medical services. OBSERVATIONS Borderline personality disorder is characterized by sudden shifts in identity, interpersonal relationships, and affect, as well as by impulsive behavior, periodic intense anger, feelings of emptiness, suicidal behavior, self-mutilation, transient, stress-related paranoid ideation, and severe dissociative symptoms (eg, experience of unreality of one's self or surroundings). Borderline personality disorder is typically diagnosed by a mental health specialist using semistructured interviews. Most people with BPD have coexisting mental disorders such as mood disorders (ie, major depression or bipolar disorder) (83%), anxiety disorders (85%), or substance use disorders (78%). The etiology of BPD is related to both genetic factors and adverse childhood experiences, such as sexual and physical abuse. Psychotherapy is the treatment of choice for BPD. Psychotherapy such as dialectical behavior therapy and psychodynamic therapy reduce symptom severity more than usual care, with medium effect sizes (standardized mean difference) between -0.60 and -0.65. There is no evidence that any psychoactive medication consistently improves core symptoms of BPD. For discrete and severe comorbid mental disorders, eg, major depression, pharmacotherapy such as the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors escitalopram, sertraline, or fluoxetine may be prescribed. For short-term treatment of acute crisis in BPD, consisting of suicidal behavior or ideation, extreme anxiety, psychotic episodes, or other extreme behavior likely to endanger a patient or others, crisis management is required, which may include prescription of low-potency antipsychotics (eg, quetiapine) or off-label use of sedative antihistamines (eg, promethazine). These drugs are preferred over benzodiazepines such as diazepam or lorazepam. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Borderline personality disorder affects approximately 0.7% to 2.7% of adults and is associated with functional impairment and greater use of medical services. Psychotherapy with dialectical behavior therapy and psychodynamic therapy are first-line therapies for BPD, while psychoactive medications do not improve the primary symptoms of BPD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Falk Leichsenring
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Nikolas Heim
- International Psychoanalytic University, Berlin, Germany
| | - Frank Leweke
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Carsten Spitzer
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Christiane Steinert
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- International Psychoanalytic University, Berlin, Germany
| | - Otto F Kernberg
- Weill Cornell Medical College, Personality Disorders Institute, New York, New York
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Boström ADE, Andersson P, Jamshidi E, Wilczek A, Nilsonne Å, Rask-Andersen M, Åsberg M, Jokinen J. Accelerated epigenetic aging in women with emotionally unstable personality disorder and a history of suicide attempts. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:66. [PMID: 36813766 PMCID: PMC9946998 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02369-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Emotional unstable personality disorder (EUPD; previously borderline personality disorder, BPD) is associated with excess natural-cause mortality, comorbid medical conditions, poor health habits and stress related epigenomic alterations. Previous studies demonstrated that GrimAge - a state-of-the-art epigenetic age (EA) estimator - strongly predicts mortality risk and physiological dysregulation. Herein, we utilize the GrimAge algorithm to investigate whether women with EUPD and a history of recent suicide attempts exhibit EA acceleration (EAA) in comparison to healthy controls. Genome-wide methylation patterns were measured using the Illumina Infinum Methylation Epic BeadChip in whole blood from 97 EUPD patients and 32 healthy controls. The control group was significantly older (p < 0.0001) and reported lesser exposure to violent behavior in both youth and adulthood (p < 0.0001). Groups were otherwise comparable regarding gender, BMI, or tobacco usage (p > 0.05). EA estimator DNAmGrimAge exceeded chronological age by 8.8 and 2.3 years in the EUPD and control group, respectively. Similarly, EAA marker AgeAccelGrim was substantially higher in EUPD subjects when compared to controls, in both univariate and multivariate analyzes (p < 0.00001). Tobacco usage conferred substantial within-group effects on the EA-chronological age difference, i.e., 10.74 years (SD = 4.19) compared to 6.00 years (SD = 3.10) in the non-user EUPD group (p < 0.00001). Notably, past alcohol and substance abuse, use of psychotropic medications, global assessment of functioning, self-reported exposure to violent behavior in youth and adulthood, later completed suicide (N = 8) and age at first suicide attempt did not predict EAA in the EUPD group (p > 0.05). These results underscore the importance of addressing medical health conditions along with low-cost preventative interventions aimed at improving somatic health outcomes in EUPD, such as efforts to support cessation of tobacco use. The independency of GrimAge to other EA algorithms in this group of severely impaired EUPD patients, suggest it may have unique characteristics to evaluate risk of adverse health outcomes in context of psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Desai E. Boström
- grid.12650.300000 0001 1034 3451Department of Clinical Sciences/Psychiatry, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden ,grid.24381.3c0000 0000 9241 5705Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, and Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Karolinska University Hospital, SE-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Peter Andersson
- grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Department of Clinical Neuroscience/Psychology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden ,grid.8993.b0000 0004 1936 9457Centre for Clinical Research Dalarna, Uppsala University, Falun, Sweden
| | - Esmail Jamshidi
- grid.12650.300000 0001 1034 3451Department of Clinical Sciences/Psychiatry, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Alexander Wilczek
- grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Department of Clinical Sciences, Karolinska Institutet at Danderyd Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Åsa Nilsonne
- grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Department of Clinical Sciences, Karolinska Institutet at Danderyd Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mathias Rask-Andersen
- grid.8993.b0000 0004 1936 9457Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Marie Åsberg
- grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Department of Clinical Sciences, Karolinska Institutet at Danderyd Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jussi Jokinen
- grid.12650.300000 0001 1034 3451Department of Clinical Sciences/Psychiatry, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden ,grid.24381.3c0000 0000 9241 5705Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, and Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Karolinska University Hospital, SE-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden
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Increased Methylation of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ( BDNF) Is Related to Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder and Severity of Suicide Attempt in Women. Cells 2023; 12:cells12030350. [PMID: 36766691 PMCID: PMC9913473 DOI: 10.3390/cells12030350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has previously been associated with the pathogenesis of both emotionally unstable personality disorder (EUPD) and suicidal behavior. No study has yet investigated BDNF-associated epigenetic alterations in a group of severely impaired EUPD and suicidal patients. The discovery cohort consisted of 97 women with emotionally unstable personality disorder (EUPD) with at least two serious suicide attempts (SAs) and 32 healthy female controls. The genome-wide methylation pattern was measured by the Illumina EPIC BeadChip and analyzed by robust linear regression models to investigate mean BDNF methylation levels in a targeted analysis conditioned upon severity of suicide attempt. The validation cohort encompassed 60 female suicide attempters, stratified into low- (n = 45) and high-risk groups (n = 15) based on degree of intent-to-die and lethality of SA method, and occurrence of death-by-suicide at follow-up. Mean BDNF methylation levels exhibited increased methylation in relation to EUPD (p = 0.0159, percentage mean group difference ~3.8%). Similarly, this locus was confirmed as higher-methylated in an independent cohort of females with severe suicidal behavior (p = 0.0300). Results were independent of age and BMI. This is the first study to reveal emerging evidence of epigenetic dysregulation of BDNF with dependence on features known to confer increased risk of suicide deaths (lethality of suicide-attempt method and presence of EUPD diagnosis with history of recent SAs). Further studies investigating epigenetic and genetic effects of BDNF on severe suicidal behavior and EUPD are needed to further elucidate the role of epigenetic regulatory mechanisms and neurotrophic factors in relation to suicide and EUPD, and hold potential to result in novel treatment methods.
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Impact of social exclusion on empathy in women with borderline personality disorder. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2023:10.1007/s00406-022-01535-0. [PMID: 36604330 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-022-01535-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Unstable interpersonal relationships and fear of abandonment are core symptoms of borderline personality disorder (BPD) that often intensify during stress. Psychosocial stress, which includes components of social exclusion and increases cortisol secretion, enhances emotional empathy in healthy individuals. Women with BPD, on the contrary, react with reduced emotional empathy. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of perceived social exclusion without accompanying cortisol increase on empathy in women with BPD and healthy women. To induce social exclusion, we randomized 98 women with BPD and 98 healthy women to either an exclusion or an overinclusion (control) condition of Cyberball, a virtual ball game. Subsequently, participants underwent the Multifaceted Empathy Test (MET), which assesses cognitive and emotional empathy. There was no increase in cortisol release after Cyberball. Cognitive empathy did not differ between groups or conditions. Women with BPD reported lower emotional empathy for positive emotions (group by valence interaction), but not for negative emotions. Exploratory analyses suggested that this effect might be more pronounced after social exclusion. Our results confirm previous findings that cognitive empathy does not differ between women with BPD and healthy women and extend this evidence to social exclusion. Emotional empathy in women with BPD seems to be more sensitive to the effects of stress or ambiguous social situations. Specifically, emotional empathy seems to be reduced for positive emotions, and might further decline after social exclusion. Empathic reactions to emotional stimuli of different valences and to specific emotions should be further investigated.
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Roth M, Kluczniok D, Roepke S, Heim C, Herpertz SC, Hindi Attar C, Dittrich K, Boedeker K, Winter SM, Ridder NS, Poppinga SK, Bermpohl F. Relationship between Borderline Personality Disorder, Emotional Availability, and Cortisol Output in Mother-Child Dyads. Psychopathology 2023; 56:90-101. [PMID: 35073545 DOI: 10.1159/000521519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mothers with borderline personality disorder (BPD) often show altered emotional availability toward their own child and heightened stress vulnerability. The aims of the present study were (1) to examine total cortisol output in saliva during mother-child interaction in mothers with BPD and their children and (2) to test whether maternal nonhostility as a subscale of emotional availability mediates the relationship between maternal BPD and child total cortisol output. METHODS We investigated 16 mothers with BPD and 30 healthy control mothers (HC) and 29 children of mothers with BPD and 33 children of HC mothers. Children were between 5 and 12 years old. Salivary cortisol was collected prior to and twice after an episode of a 21-min standardized play situation between mother and child. Nonhostility was rated using the emotional availability scales. Analyses of covariance were computed to test for group differences in total cortisol output (measured with area under the curve with respect to ground). Pearson's correlation was calculated to test the association between maternal and child total cortisol output. To test the second question, a mediation analysis according to Preacher and Hayes was conducted. RESULTS Mothers with BPD and their children had lower total cortisol output. Maternal and child total cortisol output was significantly correlated. Contrary to our hypothesis, maternal nonhostility did not mediate the relationship between BPD and child total cortisol output. CONCLUSION Results imply that the hormonal stress activity of mothers with BPD and their children is altered, which may reflect modified stress regulation and stress vulnerability in mother and child and may impact on mother-child interaction. The finding of a positive association between mother's and child total cortisol output could indicate an intergenerational transmission of these alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Roth
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Campus Mitte, Berlin, Germany
| | - Dorothea Kluczniok
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Campus Mitte, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefan Roepke
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christine Heim
- Department of Medical Psychology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Campus Mitte, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sabine C Herpertz
- Department for General Psychiatry, Center of Psychosocial Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Catherine Hindi Attar
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Campus Mitte, Berlin, Germany
| | - Katja Dittrich
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Campus Virchow, Berlin, Germany
| | - Katja Boedeker
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Campus Virchow, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sibylle M Winter
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Campus Virchow, Berlin, Germany
| | - Neele S Ridder
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Campus Mitte, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sina K Poppinga
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Campus Mitte, Berlin, Germany
| | - Felix Bermpohl
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Campus Mitte, Berlin, Germany
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The impulsiveness level influences the salivary cortisol response and social stress sensitivity in suicidal patients. J Psychiatr Res 2022; 156:159-167. [PMID: 36252345 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2022.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Suicide attempters (SA) are more vulnerable to social stress and show disturbed cortisol response in stressful conditions compared with psychiatric and healthy controls. Recent data suggest that this dysregulation might be related to impulsivity traits. However, little is known about the emotional consequences of social stress in SA exposed to stress. OBJECTIVES The aim of our study was to evaluate the cortisol and emotional responses to social stress in patients with depression with and without suicide attempt, by taking into account impulsivity traits and depression severity. METHODS 67 adult women (41 SA and 26 affective controls (AC,i.e. without suicide attempt history)) with lifetime history of major depressive episode were included. Patients performed the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST), a well-validated social stress task. Patients provided seven saliva samples, to measure the cortisol response, and filled in questionnaires to assess psychological pain, positive and negative mood, and anxiety at different time points (from 10 min before to 120 min after the TSST). Moderated regression models were used including suicide attempt history, depression severity, and impulsivity as independent variables and their interactions. RESULTS In patients with low depression and high impulsivity, salivary cortisol response during the TSST was higher in SA than in AC (p < .001). Psychological pain, negative mood, and anxiety were increased in all patients just after the TSST, followed by a decrease at 120 min. Positive mood recovery was slower in SA, and in patients with high impulsivity and low depression level (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS Impulsivity traits have an important role in suicidal vulnerability in stress conditions. Impulsivity traits might help to differentiate patients at risk of suicide who are highly sensitive to stress when depression level is low. Higher impulsiveness may increase the sensitivity to emotional distress that translates into inadequate physiological responses.
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Kindler J, Koenig J, Lerch S, van der Venne P, Resch F, Kaess M. Increased immunological markers in female adolescents with non-suicidal self-injury. J Affect Disord 2022; 318:191-195. [PMID: 36057292 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.08.125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2022] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a prevalent health problem among adolescents and commonly associated with psychological stressors such as childhood maltreatment and comorbid psychiatric disorders (e.g., depression). There is evidence that alterations of immunological markers may occur in the context of both environmental stress and psychopathological development. METHOD Here, we investigated differences in plasma/serum leukocytes, cortisol, c-reactive protein and interleukin-6 in a large sample of female adolescents with NSSI (n = 155) and healthy controls (HC, n = 42). Further, we assessed correlations between inflammatory markers, depression severity and the severity of childhood maltreatment. RESULTS The absolute number of leukocytes and the leukocyte/cortisol ratio (adjusted for body mass index and smoking) were significantly higher in NSSI as compared to HC, whereas interleukin-6 and CRP levels did not differ significantly between groups. Childhood maltreatment scores were significantly correlated with the leukocyte/cortisol ratio and depression severity was significantly correlated with both, absolute leukocyte numbers and the leukocyte/cortisol ratio. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that an immune activation can be detected in female adolescents with NSSI. Depression and childhood maltreatment, which are commonly reported in NSSI, may potentially underlie immune activation and partially explain group differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jochen Kindler
- University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Julian Koenig
- University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany; University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Cologne, Germany
| | - Stefan Lerch
- University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Patrice van der Venne
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Franz Resch
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael Kaess
- University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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Cawley E, Piazza G, Das RK, Kamboj SK. A systematic review of the pharmacological modulation of autobiographical memory specificity. Front Psychol 2022; 13:1045217. [PMID: 36452391 PMCID: PMC9703074 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1045217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Over-general autobiographical memory (AM) retrieval is proposed to have a causal role in the maintenance of psychological disorders like depression and PTSD. As such, the identification of drugs that modulate AM specificity may open up new avenues of research on pharmacological modeling and treatment of psychological disorders. Aim The current review summarizes randomized, placebo-controlled studies of acute pharmacological modulation of AM specificity. Method A systematic search was conducted of studies that examined the acute effects of pharmacological interventions on AM specificity in human volunteers (healthy and clinical participants) measured using the Autobiographical Memory Test. Results Seventeen studies were identified (986 total participants), of which 16 were judged to have low risk of bias. The presence and direction of effects varied across drugs and diagnostic status of participants (clinical vs. healthy volunteers). The most commonly studied drug-hydrocortisone-produced an overall impairment in AM specificity in healthy volunteers [g = -0.28, CI (-0.53, -0.03), p = 0.03], although improvements were reported in two studies of clinical participants. In general, studies of monoamine modulators reported no effect on specificity. Conclusion Pharmacological enhancement of AM specificity is inconsistent, although monaminergic modulators show little promise in this regard. Drugs that reduce AM specificity in healthy volunteers may be useful experimental-pharmacological tools that mimic an important transdiagnostic impairment in psychological disorders. Systematic review registration PROSPERO, identifier CRD42020199076, https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42020199076.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Cawley
- Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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Thomson M, Kaess M. The Search for Disorder-Specific Neural Characteristics in Borderline Personality Disorder—Beyond Generalized Emotion Dysregulation. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY: COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2022; 7:1051-1052. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2022.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Identifying Disease-Specific Neural Reactivity to Psychosocial Stress in Borderline Personality Disorder. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY. COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2022; 7:1137-1148. [PMID: 34929347 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2021.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) typically present emotion dysregulation (ED) when faced with adversity. However, it is argued that altered stress response may be more influenced by ED than BPD-specific traits. Here, we investigated this issue with functional magnetic resonance imaging using another ED condition as clinical control, i.e., bipolar disorder (BD), and controlling for ED traits. METHODS We recruited 17 patients with BD, 24 patients with BPD, and 32 healthy control (HC) subjects. We adapted a functional magnetic resonance imaging-compatible psychosocial stressor task (Montreal Imaging Stress Task) in which participants are placed under time pressure when performing mental calculations and then receive immediate performance feedback (positive, negative, and neutral). ED traits were measured via self-report questionnaires targeting cognitive emotion dysregulation, affective lability, and trait anger and anxiety. RESULTS Relative to patients with BD and HC subjects, patients with BPD exhibited overactive corticolimbic reactivity across all conditions, particularly in self-monitoring and emotion regulation regions such as the orbitofrontal cortex and anterior insula, even when controlling for ED. Conversely, patients with BD exhibited hypoactive corticolimbic reactivity to all feedback conditions compared with patients with BPD and HC subjects, even after controlling for ED. HC subjects exhibited significantly lower amygdala/hippocampus activity compared with both clinical groups, although this did not survive when controlling for ED. CONCLUSIONS This study provides new insight into BPD-specific neural stress responding, suggesting hyperactive self- and emotion-regulatory neural psychosocial stress responding, independent of ED traits. The findings also highlight the importance of considering BPD as a diagnostic profile distinguishable from other ED disorder clinical groups.
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Esposito P, Ismail N. Linking Puberty and the Gut Microbiome to the Pathogenesis of Neurodegenerative Disorders. Microorganisms 2022; 10:2163. [PMID: 36363755 PMCID: PMC9697368 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10112163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Puberty is a critical period of development marked by the maturation of the central nervous system, immune system, and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Due to the maturation of these fundamental systems, this is a period of development that is particularly sensitive to stressors, increasing susceptibility to neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders later in life. The gut microbiome plays a critical role in the regulation of stress and immune responses, and gut dysbiosis has been implicated in the development of neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. The purpose of this review is to summarize the current knowledge about puberty, neurodegeneration, and the gut microbiome. We also examine the consequences of pubertal exposure to stress and gut dysbiosis on the development of neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. Understanding how alterations to the gut microbiome, particularly during critical periods of development (i.e., puberty), influence the pathogenesis of these disorders may allow for the development of therapeutic strategies to prevent them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pasquale Esposito
- NISE Laboratory, School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Nafissa Ismail
- NISE Laboratory, School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
- Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
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Altered psychobiological reactivity but no impairment of emotion recognition following stress in adolescents with non-suicidal self-injury. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2022; 273:379-395. [PMID: 36203100 PMCID: PMC10070238 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-022-01496-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Impairments in both stress regulation and emotion recognition have been associated with borderline personality disorder (BPD) and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). Although it has been proposed that emotion recognition deficits particularly emerge during stress, this hypothesis has not been fully investigated. Adolescents with and without NSSI performed emotion recognition tasks before and after the employment of the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST). The psychobiological stress response was captured with psychological self-reports (affect, stress and dissociation), physiological recordings (heart rate, HR, and heart rate variability, HRV) and endocrinological sampling of saliva (cortisol and alpha-amylase). Mixed-linear models were applied to analyze stress-induced changes in emotion recognition performance and respective stress response measures. The TSST elicited altered psychobiological stress responses in adolescents with NSSI: A more pronounced decrease in positive affect, a more pronounced increase in negative affect, a less pronounced increase in HR, a less pronounced decrease in HRV and a more pronounced increase in alpha-amylase throughout the stress induction than adolescents without NSSI. Stress responses (dissociation, negative affect, cortisol and HR) differed as a function of BPD severity on a continuum, illustrating greater reactivity on self-reports but decreased biological responsiveness in those with greater BPD severity. Stress induction had similar effects on emotion recognition in adolescents with and without NSSI. Recognition sensitivity and recognition speed equally increased, in the absence of any differences in recognition accuracy. In contrast to prominent propositions, psychosocial stress does not appear to account for impaired emotion recognition across the BPD spectrum.
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Traynor JM, Roberts DE, Ross S, Zeifman R, Choi-Kain L. MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy for Borderline Personality Disorder. FOCUS (AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC PUBLISHING) 2022; 20:358-367. [PMID: 37200873 PMCID: PMC10187385 DOI: 10.1176/appi.focus.20220056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Borderline personality disorder is a complex psychiatric disorder with limited treatment options that are associated with large heterogeneity in treatment response and high rates of dropout. New or complementary treatments for borderline personality disorder are needed that may be able to bolster treatment outcomes. In this review, the authors comment on the plausibility for research on 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) used in conjunction with psychotherapy for borderline personality disorder (i.e., MDMA-assisted psychotherapy [MDMA-AP]). On the basis of the promise of MDMA-AP in treating disorders overlapping with borderline personality disorder (e.g., posttraumatic stress disorder), the authors speculate on initial treatment targets and hypothesized mechanisms of change that are grounded in prior literature and theory. Initial considerations for designing MDMA-AP clinical trials to investigate the safety, feasibility, and preliminary effects of MDMA-AP for borderline personality disorder are also presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenna M Traynor
- Gunderson Personality Disorders Research Institute, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts (Traynor, Choi-Kain); Faculty of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston (Traynor, Choi-Kain); Langone Center for Psychedelic Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York (Roberts, Ross); Department of Psychology, Ryerson University, Toronto (Zeifman); Centre for Psychedelic Research, Imperial College London, London (Zeifman)
| | - Daniel E Roberts
- Gunderson Personality Disorders Research Institute, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts (Traynor, Choi-Kain); Faculty of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston (Traynor, Choi-Kain); Langone Center for Psychedelic Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York (Roberts, Ross); Department of Psychology, Ryerson University, Toronto (Zeifman); Centre for Psychedelic Research, Imperial College London, London (Zeifman)
| | - Stephen Ross
- Gunderson Personality Disorders Research Institute, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts (Traynor, Choi-Kain); Faculty of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston (Traynor, Choi-Kain); Langone Center for Psychedelic Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York (Roberts, Ross); Department of Psychology, Ryerson University, Toronto (Zeifman); Centre for Psychedelic Research, Imperial College London, London (Zeifman)
| | - Richard Zeifman
- Gunderson Personality Disorders Research Institute, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts (Traynor, Choi-Kain); Faculty of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston (Traynor, Choi-Kain); Langone Center for Psychedelic Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York (Roberts, Ross); Department of Psychology, Ryerson University, Toronto (Zeifman); Centre for Psychedelic Research, Imperial College London, London (Zeifman)
| | - Lois Choi-Kain
- Gunderson Personality Disorders Research Institute, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts (Traynor, Choi-Kain); Faculty of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston (Traynor, Choi-Kain); Langone Center for Psychedelic Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York (Roberts, Ross); Department of Psychology, Ryerson University, Toronto (Zeifman); Centre for Psychedelic Research, Imperial College London, London (Zeifman)
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Chanen AM, Sharp C, Nicol K, Kaess M. Early Intervention for Personality Disorder. FOCUS (AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC PUBLISHING) 2022; 20:402-408. [PMID: 37200874 PMCID: PMC10187393 DOI: 10.1176/appi.focus.20220062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Both the DSM-5 Section III Alternative Model for Personality Disorders and the ICD-11 have introduced a genuinely developmental approach to personality disorder. Among young people with personality disorder, compelling evidence demonstrates a high burden of disease, substantial morbidity, and premature mortality, as well as response to treatment. Yet, early diagnosis and treatment for the disorder have struggled to emerge from its identity as a controversial diagnosis to a mainstream focus for mental health services. Key reasons for this include stigma and discrimination, lack of knowledge about and failure to identify personality disorder among young people, along with the belief that personality disorder must always be addressed through lengthy and specialized individual psychotherapy programs. In fact, evidence suggests that early intervention for personality disorder should be a focus for all mental health clinicians who see young people and is feasible by using widely available clinical skills.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew M Chanen
- Orygen, and Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne (Chanen, Nicol); Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston (Sharp); University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland, and Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany (Kaess)
| | - Carla Sharp
- Orygen, and Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne (Chanen, Nicol); Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston (Sharp); University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland, and Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany (Kaess)
| | - Katie Nicol
- Orygen, and Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne (Chanen, Nicol); Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston (Sharp); University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland, and Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany (Kaess)
| | - Michael Kaess
- Orygen, and Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne (Chanen, Nicol); Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston (Sharp); University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland, and Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany (Kaess)
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30
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Sharp
- From the Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston
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Schär S, Mürner-Lavanchy I, Schmidt SJ, Koenig J, Kaess M. Child maltreatment and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis functioning: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Neuroendocrinol 2022; 66:100987. [PMID: 35202606 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2022.100987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Alterations in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and its effector hormone cortisol have been proposed as one possible mechanism linking child maltreatment experiences to health disparities. In this series of meta-analyses, we aimed to quantify the existing evidence on the effect of child maltreatment on various measures of HPA axis activity. The systematic literature search yielded 1,858 records, of which 87 studies (k = 132) were included. Using random-effects models, we found evidence for blunted cortisol stress reactivity in individuals exposed to child maltreatment. In contrast, no overall differences were found in any of the other HPA axis activity measures (including measures of daily activity, cortisol assessed in the context of pharmacological challenges and cumulative measures of cortisol secretion). The impact of several moderators (e.g., sex, psychopathology, study quality), the role of methodological shortcomings of existing studies, as well as potential directions for future research are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selina Schär
- University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Ines Mürner-Lavanchy
- University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Stefanie J Schmidt
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Julian Koenig
- University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland; University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Cologne, Germany; Section for Experimental Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Centre for Psychosocial Medicine, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael Kaess
- University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland; Clinic for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Centre for Psychosocial Medicine, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.
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Cavelti M, Rinnewitz L, Walter M, van der Venne P, Parzer P, Josi J, Bertsch K, Brunner R, Resch F, Koenig J, Kaess M. Psychobiological Correlates of Aggression in Female Adolescents with Borderline Personality Disorder. Psychopathology 2022; 55:37-48. [PMID: 34872101 DOI: 10.1159/000520228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Aggressive behavior in reaction to threats, frustration, or provocation is prevalent in borderline personality disorder (BPD). This study investigated aggressive behavior and its biological correlates in adolescents with BPD. METHODS Twenty-one female adolescents with a DSM-IV BPD diagnosis and 25 sex- and age-matched healthy controls participated in the Taylor Aggression Paradigm (TAP), a laboratory-based experiment measuring aggressive behavior in the interpersonal context. Heart rate was measured and saliva samples were taken throughout the experiment. RESULTS Multilevel mixed-effects linear regression analyses revealed no significant group difference in aggressive behavior induced by the TAP. Additionally, the two groups did not differ in cortisol, testosterone, and heart rate responses to the aggression induction. The BPD group showed a significant cortisol increase in the time preceding the start of the TAP in contrast to the healthy control group, in whom a significant heart rate increase from baseline to the first block of the TAP was observed. DISCUSSION There was no evidence, either at the phenomenological or the biological level, of increased task-induced aggression in adolescents with BPD. The results may indicate that adolescents with BPD experienced fearful stress in anticipation of the experimental task in contrast to healthy controls who showed an adaptive response of the autonomic nervous system necessary to deal with the upcoming demand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marialuisa Cavelti
- University Hospital for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland,
| | - Lena Rinnewitz
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Section for Translational Psychobiology in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Moritz Walter
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Section for Translational Psychobiology in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Patrice van der Venne
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Section for Translational Psychobiology in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Peter Parzer
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Johannes Josi
- University Hospital for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Katja Bertsch
- Department of Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilans-University Munich, Munich, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Romuald Brunner
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Regensburg, Regenbsurg, Germany
| | - Franz Resch
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Julian Koenig
- University Hospital for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Section for Experimental Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael Kaess
- University Hospital for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Section for Translational Psychobiology in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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Flach E, Koenig J, van der Venne P, Parzer P, Resch F, Kaess M. Hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis function in female adolescent nonsuicidal self-injury and its association with comorbid borderline personality disorder and depression. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2021; 111:110345. [PMID: 33964324 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2021.110345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Revised: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Behavioral disturbances in adolescence are potentially linked to aberrant functioning of the thyroid gland. Accordingly, alterations of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis might impact psychopathological development. Yet corresponding research in adolescents with nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) and comorbid mental disorders is scarce. METHODS The present study examined HPT axis functioning in adolescents with NSSI compared to healthy controls (HC) using blood-based assays of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (fT3), free thyroxine (fT4), and the ratio of these hormones (fT3/fT4 ratio). Cortisol was additionally examined to contrast HPT axis functioning with a well-established biomarker of stress responsivity. Moreover, associations between clinical characteristics, HPT axis and HPA axis functioning were investigated. Female adolescents meeting NSSI criteria according to DSM-5 criteria (n = 117) were compared to adolescent HC (n = 41). Standardized serum-based endocrinological assays and interview- and questionnaire-based psychiatric assessments were used. Smoking status was included as covariate for all analyses. RESULTS NSSI patients displayed altered HPT axis functioning as fT3/fT4 ratio values were blunted in comparison to HC. Negative correlations were further present between fT3, fT3/fT4 ratio and severity of BPD symptoms, depression scores and symptomatic distress. TSH correlated negatively with severity of BPD symptoms and symptomatic distress exclusively. Cortisol values differed neither significantly between experimental groups nor correlated significantly with clinical characteristics. CONCLUSIONS Longitudinal examinations, assessing links between psychopathology and endocrinological alterations, are warranted to address potential clinical implications of thyroid markers in child and adolescent psychiatry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Flach
- Section for Translational Psychobiology in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Centre for Psychosocial Medicine, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Julian Koenig
- Section for Experimental Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Centre for Psychosocial Medicine, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany; University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Psychiatric Department (UPD), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Patrice van der Venne
- Section for Translational Psychobiology in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Centre for Psychosocial Medicine, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Peter Parzer
- Clinic of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Centre for Psychosocial Medicine, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Franz Resch
- Clinic of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Centre for Psychosocial Medicine, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael Kaess
- Section for Translational Psychobiology in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Centre for Psychosocial Medicine, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany; University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Psychiatric Department (UPD), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
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Richter A, Stapel B, Heitland I, Westhoff-Bleck M, Ponimaskin E, Stubbs B, Lichtinghagen R, Hartung D, Kahl KG. Epicardial adipose tissue and adrenal gland volume in patients with borderline personality disorder. J Psychiatr Res 2021; 144:323-330. [PMID: 34715600 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.10.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is associated with an elevated mortality risk that is partially attributed to suicide, but few studies examined other possible causes of premature death. The present study compared epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) volume as a known early predictor of premature cardiovascular morbidity, cardiovascular risk indices, and adrenal gland volume (AGV) as an indicator for chronic hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activation in females with borderline personality disorder (BPD), major depressive disorder (MDD) and in healthy individuals. Twenty-eight patients with BPD comorbid with MDD (BPD/MDD), 22 MDD patients and 26 healthy females (CTRL) of comparable age were included. EAT and AGV were assessed by magnetic resonance tomography; 10-year cardiovascular risk and diabetes risk were determined by PROCAM and FINDRISK score; metabolic syndrome was defined following National Cholesterol Education Adult Treatment Panel III R (NCEP/ATP III) criteria. MADRS was used to assess depression severity. After adjustment for age, body mass index (BMI), and physical activity, EAT and AGV were significantly increased in BPD/MDD compared to MDD and CTRL. EAT and AGV displayed a positive correlation. Finally, diabetes risk in BPD/MDD was elevated compared to CTRL and MDD. The present study highlights the increased cardiometabolic risk of BPD patients. We identify EAT accumulation as an early predictor and potential mediator of cardiovascular disease in BPD that appears to be driven at least in part by HPA axis dysregulation. Therefore, interventions that reduce EAT volume (i.e. exercise and diet) should be considered in the clinical management of BPD.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Richter
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - B Stapel
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
| | - I Heitland
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - M Westhoff-Bleck
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - E Ponimaskin
- Institute of Cellular Neurophysiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - B Stubbs
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - R Lichtinghagen
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - D Hartung
- Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - K G Kahl
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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Bohus M, Stoffers-Winterling J, Sharp C, Krause-Utz A, Schmahl C, Lieb K. Borderline personality disorder. Lancet 2021; 398:1528-1540. [PMID: 34688371 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(21)00476-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a mental disorder with a high burden on patients, family members, and health-care systems. The condition was previously regarded as untreatable, but progress in understanding and management has resulted in earlier diagnosis and better treatment outcomes. A coherent syndrome of BPD typically onsets during adolescence (after age 12 years). BPD is often preceded by or co-develops with symptoms of internalising disorders (depression and anxiety), externalising disorders (conduct problems, hyperactivity, and substance use), or both. BPD is associated with various poor outcomes, including low occupational and educational attainment, lack of long-term relationships, increased partner conflict, sexual risk-taking, low levels of social support, low life satisfaction, and increased service use. Psychotherapy is the main treatment for BPD; drug treatment is only indicated for comorbid conditions that require medication, or during a crisis if psychosocial interventions are insufficient. Awareness of BPD by non-specialists, as well as specialists, is key to appropriate early intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Bohus
- Institute for Psychiatric and Psychosomatic Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jutta Stoffers-Winterling
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany; Leibniz Institute for Resilience Research, Mainz, Germany
| | - Carla Sharp
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Annegret Krause-Utz
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden Institute of Brain and Cognition, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Christian Schmahl
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Klaus Lieb
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany; Leibniz Institute for Resilience Research, Mainz, Germany.
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Robin M, Belbèze J, Pham-Scottez A, Shadili G, Peres V, Silva J, Corcos M, Speranza M. Paradoxes in Borderline Emotional Dysregulation in Adolescence: Influence of Parenting, Stressful Life Events, and Attachment. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:735615. [PMID: 34744826 PMCID: PMC8566741 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.735615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Borderline personality disorder (BPD) in adolescents is characterized by emotional dysregulation, insecure attachment, a history of stressful life events (SLEs) as well as dysfunctional parent-child interactions. The respective contribution of each of these factors on BPD affective symptoms is not yet clear. The purpose of this study is to assess the distinct impact of parental adversity and SLEs on BPD affective symptoms and the role of attachment and alexithymia in such emotional processes. Method: This study explored parental dysfunction and SLEs as predictors of affective symptoms of BPD and of attachment insecurity in BPD adolescents (n = 85) and healthy controls (n = 84) aged 13-19 years from the European Research Network on BPD. The links between adversity and BPD symptoms were also investigated by emotional dysregulation assessment, as measured by alexithymia and hopelessness. Results: Dysfunctional parental interactions were linked to affective symptoms, hopelessness, and anxious attachment in healthy controls but not in BPD. Cumulative SLEs were positively correlated with affective symptoms and avoidant attachment in the control group but negatively correlated with both these variables in BPD. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that, in BPD, affective symptoms were independent of dysfunctional parenting but depended on attachment, whereas in controls, a maternal affectionless control style directly predicted affective symptoms. Moreover, increasing numbers of SLEs reduced affective symptoms in BPD, independently of parental interactions or attachment, and were associated with growing use of operative thinking. Discussion: BPD patients showed paradoxical emotional reactions: there was no increase of hopelessness and affective symptoms with an increased parental dysfunction, but a decrease in affective symptoms and hopelessness with cumulative SLE. Two pathways arose, one involving attachment as an emotional dysregulation process for parent-child interactions and a second one for SLE, with a more direct pathway to affective symptoms, independent of attachment but dependent on early interactions, and involving alexithymia. In summary, adversity factors have distinct effects in BPD, and attachment is partly accountable for affective symptoms independently of adversity. Our results suggest that in highly insecure conditions, cumulative adversity may produce paradoxical effects, including a lesser expression of affective symptoms and hopelessness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion Robin
- Department of Adolescent and Young Adult Psychiatry, Institut Mutualiste Montsouris, Paris, France
- Medical School, Paris Descartes University, Medical School, Paris, France
| | - Jean Belbèze
- Department of Adolescent and Young Adult Psychiatry, Institut Mutualiste Montsouris, Paris, France
| | | | - Gérard Shadili
- Department of Adolescent and Young Adult Psychiatry, Institut Mutualiste Montsouris, Paris, France
| | - Victoire Peres
- Department of Adolescent and Young Adult Psychiatry, Institut Mutualiste Montsouris, Paris, France
| | - Jérôme Silva
- Department of Adolescent and Young Adult Psychiatry, Institut Mutualiste Montsouris, Paris, France
| | - Maurice Corcos
- Department of Adolescent and Young Adult Psychiatry, Institut Mutualiste Montsouris, Paris, France
- Medical School, Paris Descartes University, Medical School, Paris, France
| | - Mario Speranza
- Versailles General Hospital, Le Chesnay, France
- Paris-Saclay University, UVSQ, CESP, INSERM, Gif sur Yvette, France
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Associations between age and cortisol awakening response in patients with borderline personality disorder. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2021; 128:1425-1432. [PMID: 34390395 PMCID: PMC8423694 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-021-02402-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) often display increased stress vulnerability, which may be linked to altered hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis functioning. Corresponding deviations of the cortisol awakening response (CAR) are presumed to mirror maladaptive neuroendocrine processes, which may explain why CARs are increased compared to healthy controls (HC). Prior research speculated that these alterations may be caused by early life stress and/or chronic stress related to the ongoing burden of the disorder. Yet, it remains to be investigated how BPD influences CAR in the course of development. Therefore, the current study examined CAR in female adolescents and adults with BPD compared to HC with a particular focus on associations with age. These potential associations were especially focused, as it was hypothesized that the CAR would be even more elevated (i.e., higher) in older individuals with BPD. CAR was assessed in 54 female individuals with BPD (aged 15–40 years) and 54 sex-, age-, and intelligence-matched HC (aged 15–48 years). Group differences were investigated and analyses of covariance using age as continuous predictor were performed to analyze potential developmental associations with CAR alongside BPD-specific effects. Pearson’s correlations were calculated to examine associations between CAR and age. Analyses were repeated with potential confounders as control factors. Results not only demonstrated increased CARs in female individuals with BPD compared to HC but demonstrated elevated CARs with increasing age in BPD individuals exclusively. Effects remained stable after controlling for potential confounders. Thereby, findings suggest that endocrine alterations in BPD may reinforce with increasing age and BPD chronicity.
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Lopresti AL, Smith SJ, Drummond PD. Modulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis by plants and phytonutrients: a systematic review of human trials. Nutr Neurosci 2021; 25:1704-1730. [PMID: 33650944 DOI: 10.1080/1028415x.2021.1892253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis plays a central role in the stress response. Plants, herbs, spices, and plant-based nutrients may influence HPA-axis activity. OBJECTIVE To evaluate randomised controlled, human trials assessing the effects of single plants or phytonutrients on HPA-axis related hormones. METHODS A systematic review of PubMed, Cochrane library, and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Inclusion criteria comprised of human, randomised controlled studies with a control intervention examining the effects of a single herb, spice, plant, or extract on pre- and post-changes in blood, saliva, urine, or hair concentrations of cortisol, cortisone, corticotrophin-releasing hormone, or adrenocorticotropic hormone. Databases were searched from inception until October 2020. RESULTS Fifty-two studies were identified examining the effects of ashwagandha, Korean ginseng, St John's Wort, cannabidiol, Rhodiola rosea, curcumin, cherry juice, asparagus, Jiaogulan, Black cohosh, Siberian ginseng, Bacopa monnieri, blueberries, green tea, Caralluma fimbriata, cashew apple juice, melon, American ginseng, Ginkgo biloba, grape juice, grapefruit juice, rosella, hops, mangosteen, holy basil, and pomegranate juice. Due to significant variability in study designs, the effect of phytonutrients on HPA-axis activity in humans was unclear. The most consistent finding was a morning, cortisol-lowering effect from ashwagandha supplementation. CONCLUSION For most phytonutrients, the effects of supplementation on HPA-axis activity in humans is unclear. Before more definitive conclusions about the effects of phytonutrients on the HPA-axis can be made, further research is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian L Lopresti
- Clinical Research Australia, Perth, Australia.,College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Perth, Australia
| | - Stephen J Smith
- Clinical Research Australia, Perth, Australia.,College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Perth, Australia
| | - Peter D Drummond
- College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Perth, Australia
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Deuter CE, Duesenberg M, Hellmann-Regen J, Metz S, Roepke S, Wolf OT, Otte C, Wingenfeld K. Psychosocial stress increases testosterone in patients with borderline personality disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and healthy participants. Borderline Personal Disord Emot Dysregul 2021; 8:3. [PMID: 33517905 PMCID: PMC7849084 DOI: 10.1186/s40479-021-00145-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The gonadal hormone testosterone not only regulates sexual behavior but is also involved in social behavior and cognition in both sexes. Changes in testosterone secretion in response to stress have been reported. In addition, stress associated mental disorders such as borderline personality disorder (BPD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are characterized by alterations in basal testosterone metabolism. However, testosterone changes to stress have not been investigated in mental disorders such as BPD and PTSD so far. METHODS In the study described, we investigated testosterone reactivity to an acute psychosocial stressor, the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST). Our sample consisted of young adult women with BPD (n = 28), PTSD (n = 22) or both disorders (n = 22), and healthy control (n = 51). Based on previous studies on basal testosterone secretion in these disorders, we expected the stress-associated testosterone reactivity to be higher in the BPD group and lower in the PTSD group, when compared to the healthy control group. RESULTS The study could demonstrate an increase in testosterone after acute stress exposure across all groups and independent of BPD or PTSD status. Different possible explanations for the absence of a group effect are discussed. CONCLUSIONS From the results of this study, we conclude that stress-related changes in testosterone release are not affected by BPD or PTSD status in a female patient population. This study expands the knowledge about changes in gonadal hormones and stress reactivity in these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian E Deuter
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Campus Benjamin Franklin, 12203, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Moritz Duesenberg
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Campus Benjamin Franklin, 12203, Berlin, Germany
| | - Julian Hellmann-Regen
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Campus Benjamin Franklin, 12203, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sophie Metz
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Campus Benjamin Franklin, 12203, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefan Roepke
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Campus Benjamin Franklin, 12203, Berlin, Germany
| | - Oliver T Wolf
- Department of Cognitive Psychology, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Christian Otte
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Campus Benjamin Franklin, 12203, Berlin, Germany
| | - Katja Wingenfeld
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Campus Benjamin Franklin, 12203, Berlin, Germany
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Ferber SG, Hazani R, Shoval G, Weller A. Targeting the Endocannabinoid System in Borderline Personality Disorder: Corticolimbic and Hypothalamic Perspectives. Curr Neuropharmacol 2021; 19:360-371. [PMID: 32351183 PMCID: PMC8033970 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x18666200429234430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Revised: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a chronic debilitating psychiatric disorder characterized mainly by emotional instability, chaotic interpersonal relationships, cognitive disturbance (e.g., dissociation and suicidal thoughts) and maladaptive behaviors. BPD has a high rate of comorbidity with other mental disorders and a high burden on society. In this review, we focused on two compromised brain regions in BPD - the hypothalamus and the corticolimbic system, emphasizing the involvement and potential contribution of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) to improvement in symptoms and coping. The hypothalamus-regulated endocrine axes (hypothalamic pituitary - gonadal, thyroid & adrenal) have been found to be dysregulated in BPD. There is also substantial evidence for limbic system structural and functional changes in BPD, especially in the amygdala and hippocampus, including cortical regions within the corticolimbic system. Extensive expression of CB1 and CB2 receptors of the ECS has been found in limbic regions and the hypothalamus. This opens new windows of opportunity for treatment with cannabinoids such as cannabidiol (CBD) as no other pharmacological treatment has shown long-lasting improvement in the BPD population to date. This review aims to show the potential role of the ECS in BPD patients through their most affected brain regions, the hypothalamus and the corticolimbic system. The literature reviewed does not allow for general indications of treatment with CBD in BPD. However, there is enough knowledge to indicate a treatment ratio of a high level of CBD to a low level of THC. A randomized controlled trial investigating the efficacy of cannabinoid based treatments in BPD is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Gal Shoval
- Address correspondence to this author at the Geha Mental Health Center, Petah Tiqva, Israel; Tel: 972-3-925-8440; Fax: 972-3-925-8276;, E-mail:
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Lai CLJ, Lee DYH, Leung MOY. Childhood Adversities and Salivary Cortisol Responses to the Trier Social Stress Test: A Systematic Review of Studies Using the Children Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 18:ijerph18010029. [PMID: 33374531 PMCID: PMC7793098 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18010029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 12/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Alteration in cortisol response to acute social stressors has been hypothesized to mediate childhood adversities (CA) and increased morbidity in adulthood. However, the evidence supporting an association between CA and cortisol response to social stressors is inconclusive. The present review addressed this issue by reviewing the literature on CA and cortisol response to acute social stressors, with a focus on studies with adolescents or adults, using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) to assess CA, and examining salivary cortisol response to the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST). Systematic searches of relevant articles in PsycINFO, PubMed, Web of Science and ScienceDirect in February and March 2020 identified 12 articles including 1196 participants with mean ages ranging from 15.3 to 52.3 yrs. across studies. CTQ scores were significantly associated with cortisol response in 2 studies. In addition, the physical abuse and emotional neglect subscales were associated with cortisol response respectively in 2 separate studies. The lack of association between CA and cortisol response calls for more longitudinal studies, and the use of formal records of maltreatment or informant reports in future research to complement information collected by retrospective measures. In addition, increased attention to biological mechanisms other than that associated with the regulation of cortisol in explaining the connection between CA and psychiatry morbidity is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuk Ling Julian Lai
- Psychophysiology Laboratory, Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; (D.Y.H.L.); (M.O.Y.L.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +852-34424306; Fax: +852-34420283
| | - Daryl Yu Heng Lee
- Psychophysiology Laboratory, Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; (D.Y.H.L.); (M.O.Y.L.)
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, University College London, London WC1H 0AP, UK
| | - Monique On Yee Leung
- Psychophysiology Laboratory, Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; (D.Y.H.L.); (M.O.Y.L.)
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Graceli JB, Dettogni RS, Merlo E, Niño O, da Costa CS, Zanol JF, Ríos Morris EA, Miranda-Alves L, Denicol AC. The impact of endocrine-disrupting chemical exposure in the mammalian hypothalamic-pituitary axis. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2020; 518:110997. [PMID: 32841708 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2020.110997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Revised: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The hypothalamic-pituitary axis (HP axis) plays a critical and integrative role in the endocrine system control to maintain homeostasis. The HP axis is responsible for the hormonal events necessary to regulate the thyroid, adrenal glands, gonads, somatic growth, among other functions. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are a worldwide public health concern. There is growing evidence that exposure to EDCs such as bisphenol A (BPA), some phthalates, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and biphenyls (PBBs), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), tributyltin (TBT), and atrazine (ATR), is associated with HP axis abnormalities. EDCs act on hormone receptors and their downstream signaling pathways and can interfere with hormone synthesis, metabolism, and actions. Because the HP axis function is particularly sensitive to endogenous hormonal changes, disruptions by EDCs can alter HP axis proper function, leading to important endocrine irregularities. Here, we review the evidence that EDCs could directly affect the mammalian HP axis function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jones B Graceli
- Department of Morphology, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Espirito Santo. Av. Marechal Campos, 1468, CEP: 290440-090 Vitória, ES, Brazil.
| | - Raquel S Dettogni
- Department of Morphology, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Espirito Santo. Av. Marechal Campos, 1468, CEP: 290440-090 Vitória, ES, Brazil.
| | - Eduardo Merlo
- Department of Morphology, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Espirito Santo. Av. Marechal Campos, 1468, CEP: 290440-090 Vitória, ES, Brazil.
| | - Oscar Niño
- Department of Morphology, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Espirito Santo. Av. Marechal Campos, 1468, CEP: 290440-090 Vitória, ES, Brazil.
| | - Charles S da Costa
- Department of Morphology, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Espirito Santo. Av. Marechal Campos, 1468, CEP: 290440-090 Vitória, ES, Brazil.
| | - Jordana F Zanol
- Department of Morphology, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Espirito Santo. Av. Marechal Campos, 1468, CEP: 290440-090 Vitória, ES, Brazil.
| | - Eduardo A Ríos Morris
- Laboratory of Experimental Endocrinology-LEEx, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Graduate Program in Endocrinology, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Leandro Miranda-Alves
- Laboratory of Experimental Endocrinology-LEEx, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Graduate Program in Endocrinology, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Graduate Program in Pharmacology and Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Anna C Denicol
- Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue Davis, CA, 95616, USA.
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Dembińska E, Rutkowski K, Sobański J, Mielimąka M, Citkowska-Kisielewska A, Klasa K, Konietzka M. Abnormal cortisol awakening responses in patients with neurotic and personality disorders admitted for psychotherapy in day hospital. J Psychiatr Res 2020; 130:207-214. [PMID: 32836009 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2020.06.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2020] [Revised: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis) has been associated with various psychiatric conditions. The most interesting parameter of the HPA axis function is cortisol awakening response (CAR). Few data exist about the CAR in anxiety or personality disorders and findings are often contradictory showing blunted or increased CAR compared with control groups. The goal of this study was to determine whether patients with neurotic and personality disorders show a specific CAR pattern. The study population comprised 130 patients, mainly females (71.5%), with the primary diagnosis of a neurotic disorder or personality disorder according to ICD-10 admitted for psychotherapy in a day hospital. Pre-treatment cortisol levels were measured in three saliva samples collected in one day. The Symptom Checklist "O" and MMPI-2 were used to assess the pre-treatment levels of patients' symptoms and personality traits. The study revealed a high percentage of CAR non-responders (cortisol increase of less than 2.5 nmol/l) in the study group (43.1%), particularly in females. 49% of them were CAR non-responders compared with 28% in males and 25% in the general population, respectively. CAR non-responders did not differ from the remainder in clinical characteristics. Four different CAR patterns were found in the study group: negative (26.9%), blunted (26.1%), normal (25.4%) and elevated (21.6%) as well as a particular type was not related to clinical characteristics of the patients. The study suggests that abnormal CAR types are observed in patients with neurotic and personality disorders and further research into the mechanism of the findings is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edyta Dembińska
- Department of Psychotherapy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Lenartowicza 14, 31-138, Krakow, Poland.
| | - Krzysztof Rutkowski
- Department of Psychotherapy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Lenartowicza 14, 31-138, Krakow, Poland
| | - Jerzy Sobański
- Department of Psychotherapy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Lenartowicza 14, 31-138, Krakow, Poland
| | - Michał Mielimąka
- Department of Psychotherapy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Lenartowicza 14, 31-138, Krakow, Poland
| | - Anna Citkowska-Kisielewska
- Department of Psychotherapy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Lenartowicza 14, 31-138, Krakow, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Klasa
- Department of Psychotherapy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Lenartowicza 14, 31-138, Krakow, Poland
| | - Maria Konietzka
- Department of Psychotherapy, University Hospital in Krakow, Lenartowicza 14, 31-138, Krakow, Poland
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Interoceptive Processing in Borderline Personality Pathology: a Review on Neurophysiological Mechanisms. Curr Behav Neurosci Rep 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s40473-020-00217-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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45
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Steinberg LJ, Mann JJ. Abnormal stress responsiveness and suicidal behavior: A risk phenotype. Biomark Neuropsychiatry 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bionps.2020.100011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
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46
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González-Vives S, Díaz-Marsá M, De la Vega I, Palomares N, Vázquez S, López-Villatoro JM, Palomo T, Carrasco JL. Hypothalamic-pituitary axis response to a 0.25-MG dexamethasone test in women with fibromyalgia. Stress 2020; 23:284-289. [PMID: 31591938 DOI: 10.1080/10253890.2019.1678024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibromyalgia has been reported as having some clinical overlap with both depression and emotionally-unstable disorders, although both types of disorders present different cortisol suppression response to dexamethasone. In this study we investigated the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system (HPA) in the fibromyalgic syndrome (FMS) using a dexamethasone suppression test (DST) of 0.25 mg designed to specifically detect cortisol hypersuppression. We studied 59 women (20 patients and 39 healthy controls) to whom the DST was administered together with a battery of psychometric tests. In our results, patients with FMS had significant lower levels of basal cortisol pre- and post-DST compared with control subjects. However, cortisol suppression rate in patients after DST was not significantly different than in controls. As other syndromes like post-traumatic stress disorder or emotionally unstable personality disorders, also related with high incidence of severe trauma, FMS patients presented significant low basal cortisol. However, they did not have cortisol hypersuppression as is commonly found in the mentioned disorders. The relation of FMS with lifetime traumas and with emotional instability should be further investigated in order to improve psychological treatment approaches for these patients.LAY SUMMARYPatients with fibromyalgic syndrome have basal hypocortisoism but no cortisol hypersuppression after dexamethasone infusion compared to control subjects, as other trauma-related syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara González-Vives
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Marina Díaz-Marsá
- Department of Psychiatry and Medical Psychology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Hospital Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - Irene De la Vega
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Nerea Palomares
- Centro de Investigación en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Hospital Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Personality, Evaluation and Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Susana Vázquez
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Tomás Palomo
- Department of Psychiatry and Medical Psychology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Hospital Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - José Luis Carrasco
- Department of Psychiatry and Medical Psychology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Hospital Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
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Anderson G. Pathoetiology and pathophysiology of borderline personality: Role of prenatal factors, gut microbiome, mu- and kappa-opioid receptors in amygdala-PFC interactions. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2020; 98:109782. [PMID: 31689444 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2019.109782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Revised: 10/05/2019] [Accepted: 10/06/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The pathoetiology and pathophysiology of borderline personality disorder (BPD) have been relatively under-explored. Consequently, no targetted pharmaceutical treatments or preventative interventions are available. The current article reviews the available data on the biological underpinnings of BPD, highlighting a role for early developmental processes, including prenatal stress and maternal dysbiosis, in BPD pathoetiology. Such factors are proposed to drive alterations in the infant's gut microbiome, in turn modulating amygdala development and the amygdala's two-way interactions with other brain regions. Alterations in opioidergic activity, including variations in the ratio of the mu-and kappa-opioid receptors seem a significant aspect of BPD pathophysiology, contributing to its comorbidities with depression, anxiety, impulsivity and addiction. Stress and dysphoria are commonly experienced in people classed with BPD. A growing body of data, across a host of medical conditions, indicate that stress and mood dysregulation may be intimately associated with gut dysbiosis and increased gut permeability, coupled to heightened levels of oxidative stress and immune-inflammatory activity. It urgently requires investigation as to the relevance of such gut changes in the course of BPD symptomatology. Accumulating data indicates that BPD symptom exacerbations may be linked to cyclical variations in estrogen, in turn decreasing serotonin and local melatonin synthesis, and thereby overlapping with the pathophysiology of migraine and endometriosis, which also have a heightened association with BPD. Future research directions and treatment implications are indicated.
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Husain SF, Tang TB, Yu R, Tam WW, Tran B, Quek TT, Hwang SH, Chang CW, Ho CS, Ho RC. Cortical haemodynamic response measured by functional near infrared spectroscopy during a verbal fluency task in patients with major depression and borderline personality disorder. EBioMedicine 2020; 51:102586. [PMID: 31877417 PMCID: PMC6938854 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2019.11.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2019] [Revised: 11/15/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) provides a direct and quantitative assessment of cortical haemodynamic function during a cognitive task. This functional neuroimaging modality may be used to elucidate the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders, and identify neurophysiological differences between co-occurring psychiatric disorders. However, fNIRS research on borderline personality disorder (BPD) has been limited. Hence, this study aimed to compare cerebral haemodynamic function in healthy controls (HC), patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and patients with BPD. METHODS fNIRS signals during a verbal fluency task designed for clinical assessment was recorded for all participants. Demographics, clinical history and symptom severity were also noted. FINDINGS Compared to HCs (n = 31), both patient groups (MDD, n = 31; BPD, n = 31) displayed diminished haemodynamic response in the frontal, temporal and parietal cortices. Moreover, haemodynamic response in the right frontal cortex is markedly lower in patients with MDD compared to patients with BPD. INTERPRETATION Normal cortical function in patients with BPD is disrupted, but not as extensively as in patients with MDD. These results provide further neurophysiological evidence for the distinction of patients with MDD from patients with BPD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Syeda F Husain
- Institute for Health Innovation and Technology (iHealthtech), National University of Singapore, Singapore; Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Tong-Boon Tang
- Centre for Intelligent Signal and Imaging Research (CISIR), University Teknologi PETRONAS, Perak, Malaysia
| | - Rongjun Yu
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts and Social Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Wilson W Tam
- Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Bach Tran
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States; Institute for Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam; Center of Excellence in Behavioral Medicine, Nguyen Tat Thanh University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Travis T Quek
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Shi-Hui Hwang
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Cheryl W Chang
- Department of Psychological Medicine, National University Health System, Singapore
| | - Cyrus S Ho
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Roger C Ho
- Institute for Health Innovation and Technology (iHealthtech), National University of Singapore, Singapore; Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
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Similarities between borderline personality disorder and post traumatic stress disorder: Evidence from resting-state meta-analysis. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2019; 105:52-59. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.07.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2019] [Revised: 07/21/2019] [Accepted: 07/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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50
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Thomas N, Gurvich C, Kulkarni J. Borderline personality disorder, trauma, and the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2019; 15:2601-2612. [PMID: 31564884 PMCID: PMC6743631 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s198804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a complex psychiatric illness for which treatment poses a significant challenge due to limited effective pharmacologic treatments, and under-resourced psychological interventions. BPD is one of the most stigmatized conditions in psychiatry today, but can be understood as a modifiable, neurodevelopmental disorder that arises from maladaptive responses to trauma and stress. Stress susceptibility and reactivity in BPD is thought to mediate both the development and maintenance of BPD symptomatology, with trauma exposure considered an early life risk factor of development, and acute stress moderating symptom trajectory. An altered stress response has been characterized in BPD at the structural, neural, and neurobiological level, and is believed to underlie the maladaptive behavioral and cognitive symptomatology presented in BPD. The endocrine hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis represents a key stress response system, and growing evidence suggests it is dysfunctional in the BPD patient population. This theoretical review examines BPD in the context of a neurodevelopmental stress-related disorder, providing an overview of measurements of stress with a focus on HPA-axis measurement. Potential confounding factors associated with measurement of the HPA system are discussed, including sex and sex hormones, genetic factors, and the influence of sample collection methods. HPA-axis dysfunction in BPD largely mirrors findings demonstrated in post-traumatic stress disorder and may represent a valuable neuroendocrine target for diagnostic or treatment response biomarkers, or for which novel treatments can be investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Thomas
- Central Clinical School , Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Caroline Gurvich
- Central Clinical School , Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jayashri Kulkarni
- Central Clinical School , Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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