Effective Measurement of Risperidone Treatment Outcome for Persons With Borderline Personality Disorder

Effective Measurement of Risperidone Treatment Outcome for Persons With Borderline Personality Disorder

Effective Measurement of Risperidone Treatment Outcome for Persons With Borderline Personality Disorder: The UAB Borderline Rating Scale (BRS)

The objective of Study A is to evaluate the efficacy of risperidone on the 4 behavioral dimensions of Berderline Personality Disorder (BPD)in an open label trial:mood swings, impulsivity, thing difficulties and disturbed relationships. The secondary objective of this study (Study B)is to validate a self-report measure of clinical symptoms specific to the treatment of patients with BPD, the UAB Borderline Rating Scale(BRS).

Study A: An open-label, prospective trial of the efficacy and safety of risperidone in the treatment of BPD.The study is 8 weeks in duration, with a screening visit and follow-up visits at the end of Weeks 1,2,3,4,6, and 8. 20 female patients, 19 years or older will be recruited. A full medical and psychiatric history will be taken and a physical exam will be performed by a sstudy physician. A psychosocial assessment will be conducted during the screen. Study B: The ofjective is to validate the UAB BRS by administering the BRS and other neuropsychological instruments as repeated measures over a 6 week period to 40 patients with BPD.

Inclusion Criteria: Diagnosis of BPD Exclusion Criteria: Any other Axis I diagnosis except dysthymia, PTSD, or generalized anxiety disorder;substance abuse within a month; unstable medical illness.