Characterization of the Neural Bases of Mental Imagery in Individuals With Borderline Personality Disorder: An EEG Study

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

2 Tasks : - stop signal reaction time and Cyberball then ill out an evaluation form: Upon arrival, during electrode placement, participants will complete a stop-signal reaction time (SSRT) task measuring cognitive control for approximately ten minutes. Following this, they will participate in an online ball game, Cyberball, a controlled laboratory task simulating social inclusion or exclusion. The Cyberball task will last approximately 20 minutes and will consist of three experimental conditions presented in a fixed order: passive viewing, inclusion, and then exclusion. During this time, participants' visual activity will be measured using eye tracking. At the end of the Cyberball game, participants will complete: * Social Ostracism and Cohesion Rating Scales * Need Threat Scale

Study summary

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) involves altered social cognition, notably dysfunctional processing of cues signaling potential social exclusion and heightened social pain. This study uses EEG during a controlled Cyberball task to test whether BPD patients show a functionally altered social-pain network, particularly increased theta activity, when experiencing induced social exclusion.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Theta oscillation power in brain regions associated with social pain (e.g., frontal cortex, insula, ACC). — From enrollment to the unique visit which last 2 hours. Cyberball Game during EEG: duration about 20 minutes
  Using EEG, this project aims to determine whether patients with borderline personality disorder show alterations within the neural network of social pain (increased theta) when they experience social pain (Cyberball task score from 0% to 100%), a heightened perception of social pain compared to control subjects, and dysfunctional social attentional capture. The findings could deepen our understanding of social pain and the dysfunctional mechanisms underlying the disorder. The project may open new avenues for interventions aimed at reducing social pain or sensitivity to social pain in individuals with borderline personality disorder.

Trial sites (1)

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