Impulsivity in patients with borderline personality disorder.
This study investigated features of impulsivity in patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) using the self-report Attention-Deficit Scales for Adults (ADSA) and computer-administered neurocognitive tasks. Forty-one patients with DSM-III-R BPD and 35 nonclinical control subjects were assessed by the ADSA, the National Adult Reading Test, and two computerized tasks mediated by the frontal lobes. Mean scores for seven ADSA scales (six of which relate to aspects of impulsivity) were significantly higher in the patient group compared with the control group. Also, the ADSA ratings for impaired coordination were increased in the BPD patients. The findings indicate that a range of aspects of impulsivity, as well as impaired coordination, are associated with patients selected on the basis of BPD. Also, in the patient group, but not in the control group, associations of the neurocognitive tasks indicated that, first, performance on a planning task related to dorsolateral frontal lobe functioning is correlated with aspects of impulsivity reflected by ADSA scale III ratings (involving disorganisation and lack of perseverance) and, second, performance on a decision-making task related to orbitofrontal functioning is correlated with ratings of impaired coordination. Further work is needed to establish the specificity of the findings.
Dowson
Jonathan
J
Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital, UK.
Bazanis
Evangelos
E
Rogers
Robert
R
Prevost
Andrew
A
Taylor
Pamela
P
Meux
Clive
C
Staley
Christopher
C
Nevison-Andrews
David
D
Taylor
Celia
C
Robbins
Trevor
T
Sahakian
Barbara
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D001883:Borderline Personality Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011340:Problem Solving / Q000502:physiology; D011594:Psychometrics; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D012016:Reference Values