BACKGROUND: Impulsivity belongs to the key features of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). It has been linked to altered serotoninergic neurotransmission and, genetically, to an over-representation of the short (S) allele of the serotonin transporter promoter-linked polymorphic region polymorphism (5-HTTLPR). On the other hand, serious life events (SLE) are of major importance in the development of BPD. However, the inter-relations between SLEs, impulsivity, and 5-HTTLPR are not understood. METHOD: 159 BPD patients from Germany were included in this study. Impulsivity was assessed by the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS). We analysed (1) the effects of SLEs on impulsivity; and (2) modulating effects of the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism on the effects of SLEs on impulsivity. RESULTS: Regression analyses confirmed a decreasing effect of childhood sexual abuse, the cumulative SLE-related reactions and the impairment by SLEs on BIS sum score. Regarding BIS sum score, all SLEs except for rape were associated with a decrease of impulsivity in SS/SL carriers and an increase of BIS sum score in LL carriers. CONCLUSIONS: This study analyzing a specific gene x environment interaction in BPD patients suggests an interaction between SLEs and the 5-HTTLPR S/L polymorphism in the development of impulsivity in BPD patients. Clinical and research implications are discussed.
BACKGROUND: Impulsivity belongs to the key features of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). It has been linked to altered serotoninergic neurotransmission and, genetically, to an over-representation of the short (S) allele of the serotonin transporter promoter-linked polymorphic region polymorphism (5-HTTLPR). On the other hand, serious life events (SLE) are of major importance in the development of BPD. However, the inter-relations between SLEs, impulsivity, and 5-HTTLPR are not understood. METHOD: 159 BPD patients from Germany were included in this study. Impulsivity was assessed by the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS). We analysed (1) the effects of SLEs on impulsivity; and (2) modulating effects of the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism on the effects of SLEs on impulsivity. RESULTS: Regression analyses confirmed a decreasing effect of childhood sexual abuse, the cumulative SLE-related reactions and the impairment by SLEs on BIS sum score. Regarding BIS sum score, all SLEs except for rape were associated with a decrease of impulsivity in SS/SL carriers and an increase of BIS sum score in LL carriers. CONCLUSIONS: This study analyzing a specific gene x environment interaction in BPD patients suggests an interaction between SLEs and the 5-HTTLPR S/L polymorphism in the development of impulsivity in BPD patients. Clinical and research implications are discussed.
Authors: Alan R Prossin; Tiffany M Love; Robert A Koeppe; Jon-Kar Zubieta; Kenneth R Silk Journal: Am J Psychiatry Date: 2010-05-03 Impact factor: 18.112
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Authors: Marina A Bornovalova; Brooke M Huibregtse; Brian M Hicks; Margaret Keyes; Matt McGue; William Iacono Journal: J Abnorm Psychol Date: 2012-06-11