Emerging treatments
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)
There are preliminary studies (mostly case series) on the use of rTMS over the right or left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex suggesting global improvement in severity and symptoms of borderline personality disorder, particularly in impulsiveness, affective instability, and anger.[118] However, more systematic studies are needed.
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)
One study of tDCS compared excitatory stimulation of the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex with sham stimulation. There was no difference in the cognitive control of negative stimuli in people with borderline personality disorder.[119] Further research is needed to understand the specific role of tDCS in borderline personality disorder and in personality disorders in general.
New areas of research
Future research on the effects of oxytocin, vasopressin, and opioids with regard to social attachment and interpersonal trust may produce novel pharmacologic agents. More work is needed in order to further understand the neurobiology of these conditions and the underlying neural mechanisms for the various features within each disorder.
Use of this content is subject to our disclaimer