title: Altered mu-rhythm suppression in Borderline Personality Disorder.
abstract: Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is characterized, among other symptoms, by interpersonal dysfunction and difficulties in empathizing. According to Simulation Theory empathy is linked to the activity of the mirror neuron system (MNS). Mu-rhythm desynchronization, as reflected in a suppression of electroencephalographic alpha-frequency bands (8-13Hz) provides a non-invasive electrophysiological window into MNS function. Here, we analyzed mu-desynchronization in twenty-two patients with BPD and twenty-three matched healthy controls in a reward and punishment-sensitive action observation task. In addition, we examined empathy using the Interpersonal Reactivity Index. BPD patients and controls did not differ with regard to mu-desynchronization when the entire time course was compared. However, differences in mu-suppression between groups occurred after the goal of the action became discernible. Correlations between mu-suppression and empathy ratings emerged only in controls, but not in the patient group. These findings suggest that BPD patients do not have a generalized impairment in MNS activity, though associations with contextual factors seem plausible.
authors.affiliation: LWL University Hospital for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany.
authors.forename: Franziska
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.affiliation: LWL University Hospital Bochum, Department of Psychiatry, Division of Cognitive Neuropsychiatry and Psychiatric Preventive Medicine, Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany.
authors.forename: Vera
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Flasbeck
authors.affiliation: Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research & Education, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: Elliot C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.affiliation: LWL University Hospital Bochum, Department of Psychiatry, Division of Cognitive Neuropsychiatry and Psychiatric Preventive Medicine, Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany. Electronic address: martin.bruene@rub.de.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brüne
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001883:Borderline Personality Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology*; D058256:Brain Waves / Q000502:physiology*; D003344:Cortical Synchronization; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004645:Empathy / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011581:Psychological Tests; D011678:Punishment; D012201:Reward; D012938:Social Perception; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Borderline Personality Disorder; Empathy; Mirror neurons; Mu oscillations; Simulation Theory