Borderline Personality Disorder Research Studies

Click Here to see additional clinical trials listed by NIMH.

Researchers: Contact info@neabpd.org if you’d like to have your BPD study added to our website.


Title: Treatment of Suicidal Behavior and Self-Injury in BPD: Predictors of Change
Directed by: Barbara Stanley, Ph.D., Principal Investigator
Location: Columbia University and New York State Psychiatric Institute
1051 Riverside Drive, Unit 42
New York, NY 10032
Approval / Funding: The study is approved by NYSPI & Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons IRB, Protocol # 5752
Description: This study is a six month randomized clinical trial of Dialectical Behavior Therapy versus fluoxetine medication with clinical management for patients with BPD with a recent history of suicidal or self-injurious behavior
Commitment: The study involves random assignment into six months of treatment with either a) Dialectical Behavior Therapy or b) fluoxetine medication with clinical management. An additional 6 months of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy is an option for those who have been randomized into the medication treatment condition. It also includes several assessment phases with several self-reports and structured interviews prior to beginning treatment (4-5 hours), several follow up assessments (1 hour), a laboratory stress procedure (1 hour), and two functional brain imaging scans at the beginning and end of the treatment phase (2-3 hours each).
Criteria: Age 18 – 65, meets DSM-IV criteria for BPD, history of at least one suicide attempt, or one episode of nonsuicidal self-injury, or a hospitalization or ED visit for suicidal ideation in the past six months, with one additional episode during the past year, current suicidal ideation or urge to self-injure, stable enough to be treated on an outpatient basis and washed out of any current medications, not currently receiving optimal care.
Excluding Factors: No current substance dependence, no current diagnosis of bipolar I disorder or schizophrenia, no metallic implants or pacemakers.
Compensation: Up to $375
Contact: For more information, contact Amanda at 212-543-5747

Title: Study on Clinician and Researcher Perspectives on Self-Injury
Directed by: Alexander Chapman, PhD
Assistant Professor
Simon Fraser University
Department of Psychology
RCB5246, 8888 University Drive
Burnaby, BC, Canada V5A 1S6
PH 778-782-6932, FAX 778-782-3427
http://www.dbtvancouver.com/
Location: Online questionnaire. Link provided after initial email communication.
Description: I am currently conducting a study examining clinician and researcher perspectives on self-injury. Specifically, I am interested in examining the factors which may prevent an individual from engaging in self-injury over a period of days, weeks or months. I am also interested in how clinicians conceptualize self-injury, and what kinds of treatment strategies they use to address this behaviour. As a clinician, you have an important role to play in understanding barriers to self-injury, and I would welcome your participation in this study.
Commitment: Participants will be asked to fill out a brief set of online questionnaires which ask about your clinical training and education, background and experience dealing with self-injury, and how clients you have seen have been able to refrain from engaging in self-injury. These questionnaires should take no more than 30 minutes of your time. Participation is voluntary and confidential.
Criteria: This study is open to researchers and clinicians from all backgrounds and countries. Given the nature of some of the questions, we are particularly interested in hearing from individuals who assess or treat patients who engage in self-injury as part of their practice.
Contact: Alexander L. Chapman, Ph.D., R.Psych.
chapman_lab@sfu.ca

Title: Brain Imaging Study of Social Perception in BPD
Directed by: Eric A. Fertuck, Ph.D., Principal Investigator
Location: Columbia University and New York State Psychiatric Institute
Unit 42, Suite 2917
1051 Riverside Dr.
New York, NY 10032
Approval / Funding: The study is approved by NYSPI & Columbia
University College of Physicians & Surgeons IRB, Protocol # 5169 / NIMH and Fund for Psychoanalytic Research
Description: We are investigating the neural systems that are the bases of interpersonal impairments in BPD by having patients and controls evaluate human faces and participate in a social interaction game while being scanned. The fMRI imaging is considered a minimal risk and is non- invasive. Participants get compensated $500 for completing the study and can obtain a copy of their brain structural scan if interested.
Commitment: The study involves an assessment phase with several self-reports and structured interviews (4-5 hours), and a second functional brain imaging phase on a separate day that takes 2-3 more hours.
Criteria: Female, age 18 – 45, DSM-IV criteria for BPD, no current medication, or on ineffective medication and willing to taper (call for clarification)
Excluding Factors: No current substance dependence, no current diagnosis of bipolar I disorder or schizophrenia, no metallic implants or pacemakers
Compensation: $500
Contact:  212 543-6544

Title: Emotion Regulation Skills Group
Directed by: Kim L. Gratz,  PhD
Principal Investigator
Location: University of Mississippi Medical Center
2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS 39216
601-815-6450
EOE, M/F/D/V
Approval / Funding: Not specified.
Description: If so, you may qualify for a research study at the University of Mississippi Medical Center on a new group therapy for self-harm. This study is being done to see if teaching women new skills to manage their emotions in healthy ways will help them reduce their self-harm.  Participants will have 16 sessions of group therapy and be asked to complete interviews, questionnaires, and a computer game several different times.
Commitment: Not specified.
Criteria: Are you a woman who experiences difficulties managing deliberate self-harm? Would you like to reduce your self-harm behavior? We are currently seeking participants who meet the criteria of self-harm within the past year and currently seeing an individual therapist or case manager.
Excluding Factors: No current substance dependence
No current diagnosis of bipolar I disorder or schizophrenia
Compensation: Group therapy will be provided at no cost to study participants and financial compensation is available.
Contact: For further information about the study, please contact us at 601-815-6344. All inquiries will be kept strictly confidential.

Title: Emotion Sensitivity Study
Directed by: Professor Thomas Lynch, Principal Investigator, and Dr Guy Mizon, Research Fellow, Biobehavioural and Virtual Reality Laboratory, Mood Disorders Centre, School of Psychology, University of Exeter, Washington Singer Bldg, Perry Road, Exeter, United Kingdom, EX4 4QG.
Location: School of Psychology
University of Exeter (UK)
Approval / Funding: Not specified.
Description: This study is being done to understand factors that affect people’s sensitivity to emotions (for example, personality characteristics and psychological symptoms), and how emotions affect how people behave.
Commitment: The study involves interview and questionnaire measures, as well as simple laboratory tasks.
Criteria: We are currently seeking participants living in the South West of England who meet the criteria of Diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder and/or Major Depressive Disorder.
Excluding Factors: No current substance dependence
No current diagnosis of bipolar I disorder or schizophrenia
Compensation: Participants will be reimbursed with up to £25 for their time and up to £6 toward travel expenses.
Contact: For further information about the study, please contact us on 01392 264604.

Title: Intranasal Oxytocin Challenge Study in Borderline Personality Disorder
Directed by: Drs. Eric Hollander and Daphne Simeon
Location: Mount Sinai School of Medicine
New York, NY
Approval / Funding: This study is MSSM IRB approved through 1/9/09, GCO#05-1271.
Description: Examines the effects of oxytocin on feelings of trust and levels of stress in people with BPD. Oxytocin is a stress hormone, naturally found in the human brain and is known to promote trust.
Commitment: After a brief telephone screening participants are paid for (1) an initial intake interview with the study psychiatrist, (2) Day 1 visit to Mount Sinai’s Clinic from 9am-1pm, during which participants will receive a nasal spray of either oxytocin or placebo, complete questionnaires and participate in computerized tasks, (3) Day 2 visit to Mount Sinai’s Clinic from 9am-1pm, during which time participants will receive a nasal spray of either oxytocin or placebo, complete questionnaires and participate in computerized tasks.
Criteria: Not specified.
Excluding Factors: Not specified.
Compensation: Not specified.
Contact: For more information about this study, please contact Sarah at (212) 241-3089.

Title: Ziprasidone vs. Placebo in Borderline Personality Disorder
Directed by: N/A
Location: Mount Sinai School of Medicine
New York, NY
Approval / Funding: This study is MSSM IRB approved through 11/20/08 and will be renewed annually, GCO#06-1212.
Description: Examines the effectiveness of ziprasidone vs. placebo as treatment for BPD.
Commitment: A 10-week program during which participants are paid for (1) First treatment visit which includes a physical examination and EKG, (2) Weekly visits for the initial 6 weeks of treatment consisting of 30 minute meetings with the study psychiatrist to discuss their symptoms, adjust the medication, and fill out some questionnaires, and (3) Bi-weekly visits for the last 4 weeks of treatment consisting of 30 minute meetings with the study psychiatrist.
Criteria: Participants must first complete the Oxytocin Challenge Study.
Excluding Factors: Not specified.
Compensation: Not specified.
Contact: For more information about this study, please contact Sarah at (212) 241-3089.

Title: Intranasal Oxytocin Treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder
Directed by: Not specified.
Location: Mount Sinai School of Medicine
New York, NY
Approval / Funding: This study is MSSM IRB approved through 8/13/09, GCO#07-0679.
Description: Examines the effectiveness of daily intranasal oxytocin, as compared to placebo, in treating BPD.
Commitment: This six-week treatment study. Participants are paid for (1) Their first treatment visit which includes a physical examination, (2) Bi-weekly visits during which participants will meet with the study psychiatrist to discuss their symptoms, adjust the medication, and fill out some questionnaires.
Criteria: Participants must first complete the Ziprasidone Treatment Study
Excluding Factors: Not specified.
Compensation: Not specified.
Contact: For more information about this study, please contact Sarah at (212) 241-3089.

Title: Not specified.
Directed by: Not specified.
Location: Barnard College
New York City, NY
Approval / Funding: Current IRB approval (#AAAB7625) is valid until 11/17/08 and will be renewed annually.
Description: Psychologists at Barnard College/Columbia University are conducting a federally-funded research study to understand the daily experiences of people suffering from Borderline Personality Disorder in comparison to other disorders. The research study uses state-of-the-art assessment methods focusing on the relationship of personality characteristics to moods, thoughts, and particular symptoms. Note that the study does not provide treatment.
Commitment: a) an initial interview in our lab to determine eligibility, b) 2 more lab visits to complete questionnaires and computerized tasks, and c) completing daily questionnaires on a palm-pilot diary for 3 weeks.
Criteria: You are at least 18 years old, and currently meet criteria for either Borderline Personality Disorder, or Avoidant Personality Disorder (a severe form of Social Anxiety Disorder/Social Phobia) or Major Depressive Disorder (unipolar type)
Excluding Factors: Not specified.
Compensation: $230.00 (following pre-screening)
Contact: For info, call 212-854-4223 or e-mail personality.studies@gmail.com.

Title: Not specified.
Directed by: Michael Suvak
Location: Psychology Department
Boston University, Boston, MA
Approval / Funding: NIMH
Description: This study is designed to help learn more about the way individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD) experience emotions.
Commitment: Not specified.
Criteria: Participants should experience characteristics of BPD (moodiness, impulsivity, stormy/painful relationships).
Excluding Factors: Not specified
Compensation: $40.00
Contact: Call (617)358-2247 or email Dr. Suvak at personalityandemotion@yahoo.com.
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