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The Neurobiology of Adolescent-Onset Borderline Personality Disorder

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Handbook of Borderline Personality Disorder in Children and Adolescents

Abstract

Clarifying the underlying biology of BPD, including the etiological mechanisms, genetic factors, and pathological processes is essential for a full understanding of the disorder and provides a basis for the development of more effective treatment intervention and preventive strategies (Beauchaine, Hong, & Marsh, 2008; Chanen & Kaess, 2012). Over the past two decades, neurobiological studies in adult BPD have made important strides, but inquiry into adolescent-onset BPD is still in its infancy. This chapter will review findings in populations both of adult and adolescent-onset BPD pertaining to genetics, oxytocin, opioids, neuroendocrine measures, evoked potentials and neuroimaging.

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Acknowledgments

This research is supported by the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Academic Affiliations Advanced Fellowship Program in Mental Illness Research and Treatment, the Medical Research Service of the Veterans Affairs James J Peters VAMC, and the Department of Veterans Affairs NY/NJ (VISN3) Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC).

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Goodman, M., Perez-Rodriguez, M.M., Siever, L. (2014). The Neurobiology of Adolescent-Onset Borderline Personality Disorder. In: Sharp, C., Tackett, J. (eds) Handbook of Borderline Personality Disorder in Children and Adolescents. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-0591-1_9

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