Stress Induction for Borderline Personality Disorder

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

Overseen byMichael Hallquist, PhD

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The purpose of this research study is to investigate how personality traits and neuroendocrine systems relate to decision-making patterns in individuals 18-45 years old. The main question it aims to answer is how neuroendocrine activity impacts decision-making. Participants will complete online behavioral tasks, a stress induction procedure, self-report surveys, and a cognitive assessment. During the session, psychophysiological measures will be collected, including electrocardiogram (ECG) and cardiac impedance (ICG) to monitor heart rate and blood flow, as well as electrodermal activity (EDA), blood drop samples, and saliva collection to assess nervous system activity.

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for individuals aged 18-45 who may have personality traits associated with impulsivity or are diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Healthy participants without these conditions can also join as controls. Specific eligibility criteria details were not provided.

Inclusion Criteria

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) group: Score of 38 or higher on Personality Assessment Inventory-Borderline Scale (PAI-BOR)

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) group: Participants must score at least 80 on the Reynolds Intellectual Screening Test (RIST)

Health Control (HC) Group: Score of 12 or lower on PAI-BOR

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Exclusion Criteria

I haven't taken any emergency blood pressure medication in the last 12 hours.

Excluded for any of the following: cardiac pacemaker, aneurysm clip, cochlear implants, pregnancy, shrapnel, history of metal fragments in eyes, neurostimulators, weight of 250 lbs. or more, or claustrophobia

History of psychotic disorder, Bipolar I disorder, autism spectrum disorder, reactive attachment disorder, pervasive developmental disorder, motor disorder, head injury, mental retardation, neurological disorder, or current substance dependence

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Treatment Details

Interventions

Stress Induction (Behavioural Intervention)

Trial OverviewThe study investigates the relationship between neuroendocrine activity and decision-making in people with BPD compared to healthy controls. It involves online tasks, stress induction, surveys, cognitive tests, and monitoring heart rate, blood flow, skin conductance, and hormone levels.

Participant Groups

1Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Group I: StressExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Participants will undergo a controlled stress induction approximately 1 hour and 35 minutes into Session 1.