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Biomedical subjects

Martin Bohus

Publications and source records attributed to Martin Bohus.

24 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2003

Frontolimbic brain abnormalities in patients with borderline personality disorder: a volumetric magnetic resonance imaging study.

BACKGROUND: Dual frontolimbic brain pathology has been suggested as a possible correlate of impulsivity and aggressive behavior. One previous study reported volume loss of the hippocampus and the amygdala in patients with borderline personality disorder. We measured limbic and prefrontal brain volumes to test the hypothesis that frontolimbic brain pathology might be associated with borderline personality disorder. METHODS: Eight unmedicated female patients with borderline personality disorder and eight matched healthy controls were studied. The volumes of the hippocampus, amygdala, and orbitofrontal, dorsolateral prefrontal, and anterior cingulate cortex were measured in the patients using magnetic resonance imaging volumetry and compared to those obtained in the controls. RESULTS: We found a significant reduction of hippocampal and amygdala volumes in borderline personality disorder. There was a significant 24% reduction of the left orbitofrontal and a 26% reduction of the right anterior cingulate cortex in borderline personality disorder. Only left orbitofrontal volumes correlated significantly with amygdala volumes. CONCLUSIONS: While volume loss of a single brain structure like the hippocampus is quite an unspecific finding in neuropsychiatry, the patterns of volume loss of the amygdala, hippocampus, and left orbitofrontal and right anterior cingulate cortex might differentiate borderline personality disorder from other neuropsychiatric conditions.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

[Development and characteristics of Dissociation-Tension-Scale acute (DSS-Akute)].

The Dissociation-Tension-Scale acute (DSS-acute) is conducted as a self-rating instrument to assess present-time dissociative features. In addition, the level of aversive inner tension is assessed. The study validates the psychometric quality of the DSS-acute. The sample included 195 female probands. Internal consistency is high (Cronbach's alpha = 0.94). The same is true for split-half reliability according to Gutmann (r = 0.93). The DSS-acute correlates high with scales assessing similar constructs but differs from global scales. The DSS-acute discriminates well between different diagnostic groups. There exist first evidences for being a sensitive instrument for assessing changing symptomatology. The DSS-acute is a reliable and valid instrument to assess present-time dissociative experiences as well as aversive inner tension. Current studies should further proof the sensitivity for changing symptomatology.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2003

Subtype differentiation of patients with borderline personality disorder using a circumplex model of interpersonal behavior.

The considerable heterogeneity of symptomatology in persons with borderline personality disorder (BPD) has led some to suggest the existence of subtypes within this diagnosis. However, no study to date has examined subtypes according to differences in interpersonal functioning, despite the central role of interpersonal problems in the BPD diagnosis. The interpersonal problems of 95 patients with BPD were investigated using the German version of the Inventory of Interpersonal Problems, a self-report measure based on a circumplex model of interpersonal functioning. Data were analyzed by means of cluster analysis. The results supported the existence of two distinct subtypes of persons with BPD, labeled "autonomous" and "dependent." Four-month longitudinal assessment indicated that these types were stable over time, suggesting the categorization reflected trait, as opposed to state, patterns of interpersonal behavior. Implications of these findings for future research and management of BPD are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Increased diurnal salivary cortisol in women with borderline personality disorder.

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is characterized by a pervasive pattern of instability in affect regulation, impulse control, interpersonal relationships, and self-image. In previous studies, we have used portable mini-computers to assess the severity of recurrent states of aversive emotional distress and dissociation during ambulatory conditions. Here, we used this approach for the assessment of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in patients with BPD. We studied 23 unmedicated female patients with BPD and 24 matched healthy controls. Salivary cortisol was collected from all participants during ambulatory conditions in response to reminders provided by portable mini-computers on 3 consecutive days every 2 h for 14 h after awakening. In addition, cortisol in response to awakening was determined in four 15 min intervals on days 1 and 2. After the last collection of cortisol on the second day, 0.5 mg dexamethasone was administered in order to achieve cortisol suppression on day 3 (low-dose dexamethasone suppression test, DST). Patients with BPD displayed significantly higher salivary cortisol levels than healthy controls as demonstrated by higher total cortisol in response to awakening and higher total daily cortisol levels. There were significantly more non-suppressors of cortisol in the low-dose DST in the patient group when compared to the control group. The ambulatory assessment of saliva cortisol is a suitable approach to study basic parameters of the HPA-axis in patients with BPD. Increased adrenal activity and lowered feedback sensitivity of the HPA-axis may characterise BPD. Further studies have to reveal reasons of heightened adrenal activity in these patients.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Borderline personality disorder.

Borderline personality disorder is characterised by a pervasive pattern of instability in affect regulation, impulse control, interpersonal relationships, and self-image. Clinical signs of the disorder include emotional dysregulation, impulsive aggression, repeated self-injury, and chronic suicidal tendencies, which make these patients frequent users of mental-health resources. Causal factors are only partly known, but genetic factors and adverse events during childhood, such as physical and sexual abuse, contribute to the development of the disorder. Dialectical behaviour therapy and psychodynamic partial hospital programmes are effective treatments for out-of-control patients, and drug therapy can reduce depression, anxiety, and impulsive aggression. More research is needed for the understanding and management of this disabling clinical condition. Current strategies are focusing on the neurobiological underpinnings of the disorder and the development and dissemination of better and more cost-effective treatments to clinicians.

Animals↗