Cognitive functioning deficits in Borderline personality disorder
Summary
Borderline Personality disorder (BPD) is characterized by unstable affect, behaviour, mood, interpersonal relationships and self-image. Several cognition deficits have been found in BPD patients, but the cognitive functioning profile is far from complete. This meta-analysis compares and discusses the results of neuropsychological studies of BPD and integrates them with neuroimaging/biological findings. A total of 16 studies compromising 809 participants on cognitive functioning in BPD patients were selected. BPD patients showed significant deficits across all cognitive domains compared to controls. Effect sizes (Cohen´s d) ranged from –0,36 for verbal delayed memory to -1,34 for planning and problem solving. BPD patients demonstrated impaired performance on all cognitive domains. The results were consistent with neuroimaging findings. Study limitations were heterogeneity and possible publication bias for several significant domains. Clinical implications are limited.