Cognitive Information Processing in Borderline Personality Disorder: A Neuropsychiatric Hypothesis

Abstract

Neurocognitive informat ion processing was compared in 18 borderline subjects and 14 controls of simi lar age and gender. An II-item screening ex amina tion significantly di fferentiated the two groups (P < 0.001 ). Significa nt differences were fou nd on Delayed Memory, Serial Sevens, Rh ythm Reproduc- tion, an d Perseveration subtests (P < 0.05). The results are interpreted as evidence for mild frontotemporal brain deficits. The findings suppo rt a develop- mental model of borderli ne disorder where early stress/ injury dur ing the childhood period of frontotemporal vulnerability results in fai lure to negotiate developmental landmar ks and adult deficits in cognition, emotion/behavior modulation, and insight. INTRODUCTION