Cognitive Information Processing in Borderline Personality Disorder: A Neuropsychiatric Hypothesis

Abstract

Neurocognitive information processing was compared in 18 borderline subjects and 14 controls of similar age and gender. An 11-item screening examination significantly differentiated the two groups (P < 0.001). Significant differences were found on Delayed Memory, Serial Sevens, Rhythm Reproduction, and Perseveration subtests (P < 0.05). The results are interpreted as evidence for mild frontotemporal brain deficits. The findings support a developmental model of borderline disorder where early stress/injury during the childhood period of frontotemporal vulnerability results in failure to negotiate developmental landmarks and adult deficits in cognition, emotion/behavior modulation, and insight.