Dexamethasone suppression test in borderline personality disorder: impact of PTSD symptoms

Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2007 Dec;61(6):681-3. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1819.2007.01728.x.

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the impact of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis feedback regulation in 18 female patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) and 21 healthy controls. Reduced feedback sensitivity was found in BPD patients with a low number of PTSD symptoms, while findings in the BPD group with a high number of PTSD symptoms did not differ from those in controls. The results suggest a hypo-suppression in the dexamethasone suppression test in BPD with few PTSD symptoms.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Borderline Personality Disorder / blood
  • Borderline Personality Disorder / physiopathology*
  • Borderline Personality Disorder / psychology*
  • Child
  • Child Abuse / psychology
  • Child Abuse, Sexual / psychology
  • Dexamethasone*
  • Feedback, Physiological
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hydrocortisone / metabolism
  • Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / drug effects
  • Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / physiopathology
  • Pituitary-Adrenal System / drug effects
  • Pituitary-Adrenal System / physiopathology
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / blood
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / physiopathology*
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / psychology*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires

Substances

  • Dexamethasone
  • Hydrocortisone