An MRI study of pituitary volume and parasuicidal behavior in teenagers with first-presentation borderline personality disorder.
This structural magnetic resonance imaging study examined the relationship between pituitary gland volume (PGV) and lifetime number of parasuicidal behaviors in a first-presentation, teenage borderline personality disorder (BPD) sample with minimal exposure to treatment. Hierarchical regression analysis revealed that age and number of parasuicidal behaviors were significant predictors of PGV. These findings indicate that parasuicidal behavior in BPD might be associated with greater activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Further studies are required using direct neuroendocrine measures and exploring other parameters of self-injurious behavior, such as recency of self-injurious behavior, intent to die and medical threat.
Jovev
Martina
M
ORYGEN Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
Garner
Belinda
B
Phillips
Lisa
L
Velakoulis
Dennis
D
Wood
Stephen J
SJ
Jackson
Henry J
HJ
Pantelis
Christos
C
McGorry
Patrick D
PD
Chanen
Andrew M
AM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001883:Borderline Personality Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000503:physiopathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000503:physiopathology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology*