Guanfacine to Treat Borderline Personality Disorder

Mount Sinai Health System

Status

Unknown

Conditions

Borderline Personality Disorder

Treatments

Drug: guanfacine (Tenex)

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other

Identifiers

NCT00358969

GCO 06-0518

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study is designed to investigate whether guanfacine (Tenex) is an effective treatment for borderline personality disorder (BPD), an illness often characterized by unstable mood and impulsive aggression. Guanfacine stimulates activity in the front portion of the brain, a region associated with attention and the control of behavior. We believe that guanfacine may improve symptoms of BPD by improving attention and aiding regulation of behavior.

Full description

This is an 8-week treatment study designed to test whether guanfacine is an effective treatment for borderline personality disorder (BPD). Prior to taking the study medication, subjects will have medical and psychiatric evaluations, complete self-report questionnaires, do a functional MRI scan, and complete a set of cognitive tests. While taking the study medication, participants will meet weekly with a study doctor and be administered interviews and questionnaires. At the end of the 8-week trial, participants will be asked to repeat the MRI scan and cognitive tests.

Sex

All

Ages

18 to 55 years old

Volunteers

No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Inclusion Criteria: This study includes men and women between the ages of 18 and 55 who meet criteria for borderline personality disorder with impulsive aggression.

Exclusion Criteria: Subjects must not currently be taking any psychiatric medications. Subjects must not meet criteria for current substance dependence, current major depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia-spectrum disorders.