Guanfacine to Treat Borderline Personality Disorder

  • Tell a FriendPrint

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...

Brief Summary

Official Title: “Guanfacine in the Treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder”

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.

  • Study Type: Interventional
  • Study Design: Allocation: Non-Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Double-Blind, Primary Purpose: Treatment

Detailed Clinical Trial 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.

Intervention(s) in this Clinical Trial

  • Drug: guanfacine (Tenex)

Outcome Measures for this Clinical Trial

Primary Measures

  • measures of impulsive aggression
  • measures of affective disturbance
  • measures of social and occupational functioning
  • measures of overall clinical status

Criteria for Participation in this Clinical Trial

  • 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.

Gender Eligibility for this Clinical Trial: Both

Minimum Age for this Clinical Trial: 18 Years

Maximum Age for this Clinical Trial: 55 Years

Are Healthy Volunteers Accepted for this Clinical Trial?: No

Clinical Trial Investigator Information

Lead Investigator: Mount Sinai School of Medicine Other

Overall Clinical Trial Officials and Contacts

Antonia S. New, M.D. Principal Investigator Mount Sinai School of Medicine  

Overall Contact: Emily Hart (212) 241-4459 mpgroup@mssm.edu

Additional Information

Information obtained from ClinicalTrials.gov on February 12, 2012

Link to the current ClinicalTrials.gov record. http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00358969

Study ID Number: GCO 06-0518

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00358969

Health Authority: United States: Federal Government

  • Tell a FriendPrint

Clinical Trials content is provided directly by the U.S. National Institutes of Health via ClinicalTrials.gov and is not reviewed separately by ClinicalTrialsFeeds.org. Every page of specific clinical trials information contains a unique identifier which can be used to find further details directly from the National Institutes of Health.

The URL of this page is:
http://clinicaltrialsfeeds.org/clinical-trials/show/NCT00358969