Borderline personality disorder and childhood trauma: Exploring the affected biological systems and mechanisms
Date
2017
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BMC Psychiatry
Abstract
Background: According to several studies, the onset of the Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) depends on the
combination between genetic and environmental factors (GxE), in particular between biological vulnerabilities and
the exposure to traumatic experiences during childhood. We have searched for studies reporting possible
alterations in several biological processes and brain morphological features in relation to childhood trauma
experiences and to BPD. We have also looked for epigenetic mechanisms as they could be mediators of the effects
of childhood trauma in BPD vulnerability.
Discussion: We prove the role of alterations in Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis, in neurotrasmission, in
the endogenous opioid system and in neuroplasticity in the childhood trauma-associated vulnerability to develop
BPD; we also confirm the presence of morphological changes in several BPD brain areas and in particular in those
involved in stress response.
Summary: Not so many studies are available on epigenetic changes in BPD patients, although these mechanisms
are widely investigated in relation to stress-related disorders. A better comprehension of the biological and
epigenetic mechanisms, affected by childhood trauma and altered in BPD patients, could allow to identify “at high
risk” subjects and to prevent or minimize the development of the disease later in life.
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Keywords
Borderline personality disorder, long term effects, childhood trauma, HPA axis, Endogenous opioid system, Neurotransmission, Neuroplasticity, Neuroimaging studies, Epigenetic mechanisms
Citation
Cattane, N., Rossi, R., Lanfredi, M., & Cattaneo, A. (2017). Borderline personality disorder and childhood trauma: Exploring the affected biological systems and mechanisms. BMC Psychiatry, 17, 221.