title: Executive dysfunction in bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The boundary between bipolar disorder (BD) and borderline personality disorder is a controversial one. Despite the importance of the topic, few studies have directly compared these patient groups. The aim of the study was to compare the executive functioning profile of BD and BPD patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Executive functioning (sustained attention, problem-solving, planning, strategy formation, cognitive flexibility and working memory) was assessed in BD (n=30) and BPD outpatients (n=32) using a computerized assessment battery (Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery, CANTAB). The groups were compared to one another as well as to healthy controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  BD patients showed deficits in strategy formation and in planning (indicated by longer execution time in the ToL task) in comparison to BPD patients and healthy controls. BPD patients showed deficits in planning (short deliberation time in the ToL task) in comparison to BD patients and in comparison to healthy controls. In comparison to healthy controls, BPD patients displayed deficits in problem-solving.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Differences in executive dysfunction between BD and BPD patients suggest that this cognitive dimension may be relevant for the clarification of the boundary between the disorders.
authors.affiliation: The Emotion-Cognition Research Center, Shalvata Mental Health Care Center, Hod-Hasharon, Israel, affiliated with the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: H Z
authors.initials: HZ
authors.lastname: Gvirts
authors.affiliation: The Emotion-Cognition Research Center, Shalvata Mental Health Care Center, Hod-Hasharon, Israel, affiliated with the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Department of Behavioural Sciences, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Braw
authors.affiliation: The Emotion-Cognition Research Center, Shalvata Mental Health Care Center, Hod-Hasharon, Israel, affiliated with the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Harari
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioural Sciences, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lozin
authors.affiliation: The Emotion-Cognition Research Center, Shalvata Mental Health Care Center, Hod-Hasharon, Israel, affiliated with the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Bloch
authors.affiliation: The Emotion-Cognition Research Center, Shalvata Mental Health Care Center, Hod-Hasharon, Israel, affiliated with the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fefer
authors.affiliation: The Emotion-Cognition Research Center, Shalvata Mental Health Care Center, Hod-Hasharon, Israel, affiliated with the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. Electronic address: ylevk@clalit.org.il.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Levkovitz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D001883:Borderline Personality Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D003071:Cognition; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D056344:Executive Function; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007361:Intelligence Tests; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010045:Outpatients; D011340:Problem Solving; D013223:Statistics as Topic
keywords: Bipolar disorder; Borderline personality disorder; Cognition; Executive dysfunction