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Study terminated due to poor subject compliance.
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Self-Injurious Behavior (SIB) is a dangerous and common symptom in Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) patients. Approximately 70% of patients with BPD engage in SIB at some point, compared to 17.5% of patients with other personality disorders. While SIB may prompt unnecessary psychiatric hospitalizations, it may also cause potential underestimation of the lethality of suicidal behavior, thus creating a major and confusing challenge in the practice of clinical psychiatry.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is a collection of therapeutic techniques focused on emotional regulation, impulse control, and improving safety in patients with BPD and others with marked self-destructive behavioral tendencies. Though DBT has marked ability to reduce BPD symptomatology, including SIB, improvement in SIB is limited and dependent on extensive therapy and time.
Furthermore, the literature on the pharmacological treatment of SIB associated with BPD is scarce. Animal studies suggest that SIB may be associated with an imbalance between dopamine and glutamate in the brain. Anti-seizure medications that modulate glutamate transmission, such as lamotrigine and topiramate, have been suggested to be effective in the treatment of SIB in humans.
Preliminary evidence suggests that antiglutamatergic medications may decrease SIB in patients with BPD. Early studies have focused on the antiglutamatergic drug riluzole. More recently, we have become interested in the amino acid N-acetylcysteine (NAC), which is used clinically for its antioxidant properties and is widely available as a nutritional supplement. Recent animal studies have suggested that NAC can modulate glutamate in the central nervous system in a way very similar to that proposed for riluzole, and indeed we have observed NAC to have an effect similar to riluzole in a case of treatment-refractory obsessive-compulsive disorder.
This study will be a double-blind, randomized, and placebo-controlled evaluation of N-Acetylcysteine as an adjunct to DBT in the treatment of SIB associated with BPD. Subjects participating in this study will be recruited exclusively from the Dialectical Behavioral Therapy program of the Yale-New Haven Hospital, in order to maximize homogeneity of the psychotherapeutic care received during their participation.
Investigators have withdrawn study due to poor subject compliance. After 3 consecutive participants were either unable to complete all 6 weeks of the study or dropped out of the DBT program, a decision was reached to discontinue recruitment and study was terminated.
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| Label | Type | Description | Intervention Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| N-Acetylcysteine | Experimental | Patients randomized to this arm will receive N-Acetylcysteine augmentation, at a standard dose (3000 mg daily), in addition to the medication regimen they are on at enrollment |
|
| placebo | Placebo Comparator | Patients randomized to this arm will receive placebo, formulated to be indistinguishable from N-Acetylcysteine, in addition to the medication regimen they are on at study enrollment. |
|
| Name | Type | Description | Arm Group Labels | Other Names |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N-Acetylcysteine | Drug | 3000 mg PO (1200 mg AM, 1800 mg PM), 6 weeks |
|
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Self-Harm Inventory (SHI) Score at 6 Weeks | The Self-Harm Inventory is assessed by asking an individual to answer (yes or no) if they have ever "intentionally, or on purpose" tried to harm themselves. The inventory contains 22 questions and a 23rd marked "other" that allows the individual to indicate a self-harm behavior not previously mentioned. The scoring of this instrument is determined by counting the number of endorsed self-harm behaviors out of the possible twenty-three asked. The maximum score any individual may achieve for the SHI is a 23. Any individual scoring 5 or greater is classified as suffering from BPD. In this study, scoring on the SHI was primarily used to assess improvement of self-harming symptoms and throughout the study by comparing participant ratings from baseline and week 6. Positive numbers indicate a decrease (i.e. participant indicated less self-harming behavior) and negative numbers indicate an increase in self-harming behaviors reported. | 6 weeks |
| Self-Harm Inventory (SHI) Score at Baseline | The Self-Harm Inventory is assessed by asking an individual to answer (yes or no) if they have ever "intentionally, or on purpose" tried to harm themselves. The inventory contains 22 questions and a 23rd marked "other" that allows the individual to indicate a self-harm behavior not previously mentioned. The scoring of this instrument is determined by counting the number of endorsed self-harm behaviors out of the possible twenty-three asked. The maximum score any individual may achieve for the SHI is a 23. Any individual scoring 5 or greater is classified as suffering from BPD. In this study, scoring on the SHI was primarily used to assess improvement of self-harming symptoms and throughout the study by comparing participant ratings from baseline and week 6. Positive numbers indicate a decrease (i.e. participant indicated less self-harming behavior) and negative numbers indicate an increase in self-harming behaviors reported. | Baseline |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) at 6 Weeks | The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression is a multiple item questionnaire used to provide an indication of depression, and as a guide to evaluate recovery. Administered by a clinician, The questionnaire is designed for adults and is used to rate the severity of the patients depression by asking their mood, feelings of guilt, insomnia, agitation, weight change, suicidal ideation, and somatic symptoms. The scale also allows the clinician to assess the patient's level of retardation, and insight into their depression. Highest possible score is 52. HAM-D Scoring 0-7 = Normal 8-13 = Mild Depression 14-18 = Moderate Depression 19-22 = Severed Depression ≥23 = Very Severe Depression In this study, Baseline ratings were compared to those of week 6 to assess each participants change in depression throughout the study. A negative value indicates an increase in depression (i.e. the individual felt more depressed) and a positive value indicates a decrease in depression. |
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Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
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| Name | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Christopher J Pittenger, MD,PhD | Yale University | Principal Investigator |
| Facility | Status | City | State | ZIP | Country | Contacts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yale OCD Research Clinic | New Haven | Connecticut | 06519 | United States |
| PubMed Identifier | Type | Citation | Retractions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15993857 | Background | Coric V, Taskiran S, Pittenger C, Wasylink S, Mathalon DH, Valentine G, Saksa J, Wu YT, Gueorguieva R, Sanacora G, Malison RT, Krystal JH. Riluzole augmentation in treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder: an open-label trial. Biol Psychiatry. 2005 Sep 1;58(5):424-8. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2005.04.043. | |
| 16490414 | Background |
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| ID | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| FG000 | N-Acetylcysteine | Patients randomized to this arm will receive N-Acetylcysteine augmentation, at a standard dose (3000 mg daily), in addition to the medication regimen they are on at enrollment N-Acetylcysteine : 3000 mg PO (1200 mg AM, 1800 mg PM), 6 weeks |
| FG001 | Placebo | Patients randomized to this arm will receive placebo, formulated to be indistinguishable from N-Acetylcysteine, in addition to the medication regimen they are on at study enrollment. placebo : placebo, 2 capsules PO AM, 3 capsules PO PM, 6 weeks |
| Title | Milestones | Reasons Not Completed | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Study |
|
|
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| ID | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| BG000 | N-Acetylcysteine | Patients randomized to this arm will receive N-Acetylcysteine augmentation, at a standard dose (3000 mg daily), in addition to the medication regimen they are on at enrollment N-Acetylcysteine : 3000 mg PO (1200 mg AM, 1800 mg PM), 6 weeks |
| BG001 | Placebo |
| Units | Counts |
|---|---|
| Participants |
|
| Title | Description | Population Description | Parameter Type | Dispersion Type | Unit of Measure | Calculate Percentage | Denominator Units Selected | Denominators | Classes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age, Categorical | Count of Participants |
| Type | Title | Description | Population Description | Reporting Status | Anticipated Posting Date | Parameter Type | Dispersion Type | Unit of Measure | Calculate Percentage | Time Frame | Units Analyzed | Denominator Units Selected | Arm/Group Information | Denominators | Classes | Analyses | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary | Self-Harm Inventory (SHI) Score at 6 Weeks | The Self-Harm Inventory is assessed by asking an individual to answer (yes or no) if they have ever "intentionally, or on purpose" tried to harm themselves. The inventory contains 22 questions and a 23rd marked "other" that allows the individual to indicate a self-harm behavior not previously mentioned. The scoring of this instrument is determined by counting the number of endorsed self-harm behaviors out of the possible twenty-three asked. The maximum score any individual may achieve for the SHI is a 23. Any individual scoring 5 or greater is classified as suffering from BPD. In this study, scoring on the SHI was primarily used to assess improvement of self-harming symptoms and throughout the study by comparing participant ratings from baseline and week 6. Positive numbers indicate a decrease (i.e. participant indicated less self-harming behavior) and negative numbers indicate an increase in self-harming behaviors reported. | Posted | Number | units on a scale | 6 weeks |
|
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| ID | Title | Description | Deaths (Affected) | Deaths (At Risk) | Serious Events (Affected) | Serious Events (At Risk) | Other Events (Affected) | Other Events (At Risk) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EG000 | N-Acetylcysteine | Patients randomized to this arm will receive N-Acetylcysteine augmentation, at a standard dose (3000 mg daily), in addition to the medication regimen they are on at enrollment N-Acetylcysteine : 3000 mg PO (1200 mg AM, 1800 mg PM), 6 weeks |
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| Title | Organization | Phone | Extension | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christopher Pittenger, MD Ph.D | Yale University School of Medicine | 203-974-7675 | christopher.pittenger@yale.edu |
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| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D001883 | Borderline Personality Disorder |
| D016728 | Self-Injurious Behavior |
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D010554 | Personality Disorders |
| D001523 | Mental Disorders |
| D001526 | Behavioral Symptoms |
| D001519 | Behavior |
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| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D000111 | Acetylcysteine |
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D003545 | Cysteine |
| D000603 | Amino Acids, Sulfur |
| D013457 | Sulfur Compounds |
| D009930 | Organic Chemicals |
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| placebo | Drug | placebo, 2 capsules PO AM, 3 capsules PO PM, 6 weeks |
|
| 6 weeks |
| Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) at Baseline | The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression is a multiple item questionnaire used to provide an indication of depression, and as a guide to evaluate recovery. Administered by a clinician, The questionnaire is designed for adults and is used to rate the severity of the patients depression by asking their mood, feelings of guilt, insomnia, agitation, weight change, suicidal ideation, and somatic symptoms. The scale also allows the clinician to assess the patient's level of retardation, and insight into their depression. Highest possible score is 52. HAM-D Scoring 0-7 = Normal 8-13 = Mild Depression 14-18 = Moderate Depression 19-22 = Severed Depression ≥23 = Very Severe Depression In this study, Baseline ratings were compared to those of week 6 to assess each participants change in depression throughout the study. A negative value indicates an increase in depression (i.e. the individual felt more depressed) and a positive value indicates a decrease in depression. | Baseline |
| Pittenger C, Krystal JH, Coric V. Glutamate-modulating drugs as novel pharmacotherapeutic agents in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder. NeuroRx. 2006 Jan;3(1):69-81. doi: 10.1016/j.nurx.2005.12.006. |
| 21120088 | Background | Smith BD. Self-mutilation and pharmacotherapy. Psychiatry (Edgmont). 2005 Oct;2(10):28-37. |
| Background | Linehan MM (1993). The Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder. New York: The Guilford Press. |
| 21963369 | Background | Pittenger C, Bloch MH, Williams K. Glutamate abnormalities in obsessive compulsive disorder: neurobiology, pathophysiology, and treatment. Pharmacol Ther. 2011 Dec;132(3):314-32. doi: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2011.09.006. Epub 2011 Sep 22. |
Patients randomized to this arm will receive placebo, formulated to be indistinguishable from N-Acetylcysteine, in addition to the medication regimen they are on at study enrollment. placebo : placebo, 2 capsules PO AM, 3 capsules PO PM, 6 weeks |
| BG002 | Total | Total of all reporting groups |
| Participants |
|
| Sex: Female, Male | Count of Participants | Participants |
|
Patients randomized to this arm will receive N-Acetylcysteine augmentation, at a standard dose (3000 mg daily), in addition to the medication regimen they are on at enrollment N-Acetylcysteine : 3000 mg PO (1200 mg AM, 1800 mg PM), 6 weeks |
| OG001 | Placebo | Patients randomized to this arm will receive placebo, formulated to be indistinguishable from N-Acetylcysteine, in addition to the medication regimen they are on at study enrollment. placebo : placebo, 2 capsules PO AM, 3 capsules PO PM, 6 weeks |
|
|
| Secondary | Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) at 6 Weeks | The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression is a multiple item questionnaire used to provide an indication of depression, and as a guide to evaluate recovery. Administered by a clinician, The questionnaire is designed for adults and is used to rate the severity of the patients depression by asking their mood, feelings of guilt, insomnia, agitation, weight change, suicidal ideation, and somatic symptoms. The scale also allows the clinician to assess the patient's level of retardation, and insight into their depression. Highest possible score is 52. HAM-D Scoring 0-7 = Normal 8-13 = Mild Depression 14-18 = Moderate Depression 19-22 = Severed Depression ≥23 = Very Severe Depression In this study, Baseline ratings were compared to those of week 6 to assess each participants change in depression throughout the study. A negative value indicates an increase in depression (i.e. the individual felt more depressed) and a positive value indicates a decrease in depression. | Posted | Number | units on a scale | 6 weeks |
|
|
|
| Primary | Self-Harm Inventory (SHI) Score at Baseline | The Self-Harm Inventory is assessed by asking an individual to answer (yes or no) if they have ever "intentionally, or on purpose" tried to harm themselves. The inventory contains 22 questions and a 23rd marked "other" that allows the individual to indicate a self-harm behavior not previously mentioned. The scoring of this instrument is determined by counting the number of endorsed self-harm behaviors out of the possible twenty-three asked. The maximum score any individual may achieve for the SHI is a 23. Any individual scoring 5 or greater is classified as suffering from BPD. In this study, scoring on the SHI was primarily used to assess improvement of self-harming symptoms and throughout the study by comparing participant ratings from baseline and week 6. Positive numbers indicate a decrease (i.e. participant indicated less self-harming behavior) and negative numbers indicate an increase in self-harming behaviors reported. | Posted | Number | units on a scale | Baseline |
|
|
|
| Secondary | Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) at Baseline | The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression is a multiple item questionnaire used to provide an indication of depression, and as a guide to evaluate recovery. Administered by a clinician, The questionnaire is designed for adults and is used to rate the severity of the patients depression by asking their mood, feelings of guilt, insomnia, agitation, weight change, suicidal ideation, and somatic symptoms. The scale also allows the clinician to assess the patient's level of retardation, and insight into their depression. Highest possible score is 52. HAM-D Scoring 0-7 = Normal 8-13 = Mild Depression 14-18 = Moderate Depression 19-22 = Severed Depression ≥23 = Very Severe Depression In this study, Baseline ratings were compared to those of week 6 to assess each participants change in depression throughout the study. A negative value indicates an increase in depression (i.e. the individual felt more depressed) and a positive value indicates a decrease in depression. | Posted | Number | units on a scale | Baseline |
|
|
|
| 0 |
| 3 |
| 0 |
| 3 |
| EG001 | Placebo | Patients randomized to this arm will receive placebo, formulated to be indistinguishable from N-Acetylcysteine, in addition to the medication regimen they are on at study enrollment. placebo : placebo, 2 capsules PO AM, 3 capsules PO PM, 6 weeks | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
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| D000596 |
| Amino Acids |
| D000602 | Amino Acids, Peptides, and Proteins |