Mindfulness-based Neurofeedback to Augment Psychotherapy for Adults With Borderline Personality Disorder

Mindfulness-based Neurofeedback to Augment Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for Adults With Borderline Personality Disorder (Aim 1)

The purpose of this study is to test the ability of mindfulness-based real time functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) neurofeedback (mbNF) to increase the benefits of evidence-based psychotherapy for adults with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD).

The focus of this study is Aim 1.

Inclusion criteria:

• age 18-60,
• be able to provide written informed consent,
• meet criteria for BPD on semi-structured clinical interview,
• able to plan to keep any prescribed medications and psychotherapy constant during the study
• fluent in English.

Exclusion criteria:

• current DBT psychotherapy outside the study
• lifetime primary psychotic disorder
• manic episode in the last one year
• developmental disorder (e.g. autism)
• history of learning disorder
• severe substance use disorder in the last 3 months
• active suicidal ideation with intent or plan in the past 3 months
• history of major medical or neurologic disorder
• MRI contraindications, including pregnancy
• poor performance on reading task (WRAT > 11 errors)
• newly prescribed medications in the past 8 weeks
• daytime sedating medications (e.g. benzodiazepines, opiates, sedating neuroleptics)
• any scheduled daily benzodiazepines
• change in psychotherapy type or frequency in the past 12 weeks.
• At the discretion of the study PI

Eligibility will be determined by study personnel.