Mood and Personality Disorders Research Program
Our Research
The Mood and Personality Disorders Research Program conducts a multitude of research projects that cover a broad range of psychiatric disorders and their respective neurobiological underpinnings. Some of our general areas of interest, with examples of specific research projects, are outlined below:
Brain Imaging
Rapid and powerful developments in brain imaging technology enable today's researchers in psychiatry to study brain structure and function with extraordinary accuracy and detail - even down to the level of metabolic and neurotransmitter activity of highly-specific brain regions. We use various imaging modalities, including Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) to examine physiological brain activity in our participants.
Neuropsychological Testing
In many of our studies, patients participate in an array of neuropsychological assessments that explore characteristics such as attention, memory, and motivation. Examples of such tests include:
- AX-CPT: assesses an individual's ability to use context to select a response
- N-Back: measures working memory or the ability to manipulate information necessary to complete a task
- Eriksen Response competition task: assesses the ability to selectively attend to information
- Other tests that we use include: Wechsler Abbreviated Scale for Intelligence, Spatial Maintenance and Manipulation Task, Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test, Reichenberg Dual Task, California Verbal Learning Task, and Dot test.
These tests allow us not only to measure cognitive function in people with personality disorders, but also to gauge the effects of different treatment modalities on intellectual functioning.
Medication Trials
While there are many medications that are used to treat patients with personality disorders, to date none have been FDA-approved for this specific purpose. We are actively involved in studies of several medications targeting mood instability, impulsive aggression and cognitive disorganization in this population.
Psychotherapy
One form of psychotherapy that has been extensively studied and shown to be effective in treating patients with Borderline Personality Disorder is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
DBT is a cognitive behavioral treatment approach developed by Dr. Marsha Linehan to treat chronically suicidal and self-harming individuals, many of whom met criteria for borderline personality disorder (BPD). The approach aims to minimize life threatening behaviors and other symptoms of BPD. For the participant, the therapy consists of weekly individual therapy sessions (50-60 minutes), a skills training groups (90 minutes), which help with identifying emotions, tolerating stress, and interpersonal skills. In-between sessions and skills training group, therapists are available for telephone consultation.
In our program, individuals with a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder are treated with a twelve-month course of DBT. This study looks at pre- and post-treatment symptoms and neurobiological measures as indicators of whether the treatment course was helpful.
Genetics
Results of recent research studies suggest that genetic features may greatly influence the development of personality traits and disorders. Our genetic studies explore to the contributions of family, genetic, and biochemical factors to personality.
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