Neurofeedback for Borderline Personality Disorder

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The goal of this study is to evaluate whether rtfMRI-nf training to increase the amygdala response to positive memories may serve as an intervention for borderline personality disorder.

Detailed Description
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We will assess the treatment effects of real-time fMRI neurofeedback in adults with borderline personality disorder. This is an experimental longitudinal design where participants will be followed every two weeks after receiving 2 sessions of neurofeedback from the amygdala . Procedures involve a battery of self-report measures, fMRI and psychophysiological indices (heart rate, respiration).

Official Title
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Amygdala rtfMRI Neurofeedback for Borderline Personality Disorder

Conditions
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Borderline Personality Disorder

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Amygdala Neurofeedback


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: right-handed adults (ages 18 - 55) with a primary diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder according to diagnostic criteria in the Structured Interview for DSM Personality Disorders must be able to give written informed consent prior to participation unmedicated or stable on an SSRI antidepressant regime (at least 3 weeks to ensure symptoms are stable) English speaking Exclusion Criteria: have a clinically significant or unstable cardiovascular, pulmonary, endocrine, neurological, gastrointestinal illness or unstable medical disorder Current moderate or severe DSM-V alcohol or substance use disorder, with the exception of nicotine or caffeine. Clinician will access subjects' alcohol and substance use on a case-by-case to determine whether specific cases of mild alcohol or substance use would also interfere with the effects of the intervention. have a history of traumatic brain injury are unable to complete MRI scan due to claustrophobia or general MRI exclusions (e.g., shrapnel inside body) are currently pregnant or breast feeding are unable to complete questionnaires written in English current (within 3 weeks of testing) use of any antipsychotics, benzodiazepines, beta-blockers, or other medications (except SSRI antidepressants) likely to influence cerebral blood flow. Effective medications will not be discontinued for the purposes of the study. Inclusion of patients on stable antidepressant medications was decided in order to allow generalization towards a real world population have a DSM-5 diagnosis of psychotic or organic mental disorder have any eye problems or difficulties in corrected vision. Serious suidicial ideation

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 55 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Amygdala Neurofeedback<br>Participants will undergo real-time fMRI neurofeedback training to increase their amygdala response while recalling positive autobiographical memories. 2 sessions will occur within a one week period. | Behavioral: Amygdala Neurofeedback<br>* real-time feedback on the hemodynamic response of the amygdala during positive autobiographical memory recall<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change from Baseline in Borderline Scale from the Personality Assessment Inventory at 12 weeks | Assessment of severity of borderline symptoms. This scale contains 24 items rated on a four-point scale (0=false to 3=very true). Scores range from 0-72, and are converted to T scores, with higher scores indicating more borderline symptoms. Scores below 59 indicate healthy, scores at or above 70T indicate the respondent is likely to have borderline personality disorder. | Baseline vs 12 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change from Baseline in Beck Depression Inventory at 12 weeks | Assessment of severity of depressive symptoms. This is a 21 item self-report scale with items rated from 0-3 and scores ranging from 0 to 63 with higher scores indicating worse depression. A score less than 13 is considered to be in the healthy range, scores 14-19 indicate mild depression, scores 20-28 indicate moderate depression, scores 29-63 indicate severe depression. | Baseline vs 12 weeks | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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fMRI neurofeedback, amygdala