PILOT Phase: BPD Study (NCT07223619) | Clinical Trial Compass
Active — Not RecruitingNot Applicable
PILOT Phase: BPD Study
United States20 participantsStarted 2024-01-05
Plain-language summary
This pilot study aims to identify the area of the brain best suited for the treatment of Borderline Personality disorder (BPD). The study investigators will test whether repetitiveTranscranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS), a gentle non-invasive brain stimulation method, can improve regulation of emotions and impulsivity in individuals with BPD.
This study will enroll up to 20 participants. Participant will be consented for the study remotely via a secure internet platform called Zoom. Participants will undergo 1 Magnetic Resonance Imaging or MRI scan and up to 3 brain stimulation of transcranial magnetic stimulation or TMS sessions, and cognitive behavioral testing on a computer.
Participants will complete 4 in-person visits over the course of up to 3 weeks.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 65 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Age of 18-65
* DSM-5 Diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) based upon a psychiatric evaluation and ZAN-BPD scale
* Fluent English speaker
* Ability to give informed consent
Exclusion Criteria:
* Medical conditions that prevent TMS or MRI to be performed safely upon evaluation by the study psychiatrist
* Active alcohol or drug abuse of such severity that it would pose a risk for TMS administration (i.e., unstable motor thresholds or increased risk for seizure)
* Active suicidal plan
* Current diagnosis of Psychotic or Bipolar disorders
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Delay Discounting Task (Odum, 2011)
Timeframe: Baseline, Visit 4 (up to 3 weeks)
2
Cognitive Reappraisal of Social Exclusion Pain Task (Zhao et al., 2021)